December 12, 2011
European Starling
Every fall, enormous flocks of this non-native, invasive songbird can be seen doing aerial maneuvers in the sky. Although its "song" is a raspy mumble, and during most of the year its feathers are dull black, the bird's new fall feathers provide a temporary look of elegance.
Starlings are aggressive cavity nesters that displace many native cavity-nesting species such as screech owls, flickers, and other woodpeckers.
Photo by Miren Etcheverry