Starling
(Sturnus vulgaris)
At 21.5cm the Starling smaller than the blackbird, with a short tail, pointed head, triangular wings, starlings look black at a distance but when seen closer they are very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens. Noisy and gregarious, starlings spend a lot of the year in flocks. Still one of the commonest of garden birds, its been on the decline for a number of years. Conspicuous and widespread in the UK, occurring everywhere except for the highest parts of the Scottish Highlands. Although resident all year round, large numbers arrive in autumn to spend the winter here. Diet consists of insects and fruit.