European Starling

Description:

Medium sized, stout bodied bird. Dark plumage with light speckles. Fairly short tail. Speckling tends to be more pronounced in the non-breeding plumage. Often has purplish iridescence on the neck.

Habitat:

Bronx Zoo, New York. Wild visitor. Often found near human settlements.

Notes:

Common, introduced and invasive. This bird can congregate in huge flocks. Competes (often out-competing) for nesting areas and food with native species. Still, very pretty birds in their own right.