Bird ID help please - DPChallenge Forums

04/24/2007 11:54:22 AM · #1

Can I get some help IDing this bird. It was shot on the beach in Alabama.

04/24/2007 11:55:13 AM · #2

Starling.

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM for Nikon

04/24/2007 12:09:37 PM · #3

TY... you can tell I'm not much of a bird watcher. :-) I can't even ID one of the most abundant birds in the US.

Message edited by author 2007-04-24 12:10:00.

rosiehall

Nikon D80

04/24/2007 12:09:52 PM · #4

I too think this is a starling try this li//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Common_starling_in_london.jpg#filenk to see what you think

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/24/2007 12:10:23 PM · #5

I second the Starling.

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

04/24/2007 12:16:12 PM · #6

Yup, looks like a Starling to me too //www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/European_Starling.html

Thanks guys

stargazer05766

Canon EOS-7D

04/24/2007 12:30:53 PM · #7

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Can I get some help IDing this bird. It was shot on the beach in Alabama.

Do u think it could be a European Starling? Just a guess as can't see close up details well but you can ck on the net website www.birdsource.org.. Hope this helps u to Identify..

04/24/2007 01:41:07 PM · #8

Originally posted by stargazer05766:

Do u think it could be a European Starling?...

Yes, that's what it is. The European Starling is not native to the US, and is thus considered an "invasive species." It was introduced to North America in the late 1800s, and is incredibly common across the North American continent, including all of the lower 48 US states, southern Canada, parts of Alaska, and northern Mexico.

pineapple

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

04/24/2007 01:51:33 PM · #9

Talk about invasive species, Kirbic. That's one of the most fallacious arguments around. Heck, we are all invasive species at one time or other.

04/24/2007 01:55:41 PM · #10

One interesting note about these birds is that their bill colour changes to dull brown in the winter.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

04/24/2007 01:59:59 PM · #11

Originally posted by pineapple:

Talk about invasive species, Kirbic. That's one of the most fallacious arguments around. Heck, we are all invasive species at one time or other.

LOL, yes, we're the worst example. But it doesn't change the fact that we introduced the European Starling to the NA continent, and that it was not native here. That fact *has* changed the ecosystem, and the Starling is rightfully labeled as an invasive species. Nonethelss, it's here for good.

bergiekat

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

04/24/2007 02:05:51 PM · #12

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by pineapple:
Talk about invasive species, Kirbic. That's one of the most fallacious arguments around. Heck, we are all invasive species at one time or other.

LOL, yes, we're the worst example. But it doesn't change the fact that we introduced the European Starling to the NA continent, and that it was not native here. That fact *has* changed the ecosystem, and the Starling is rightfully labeled as an invasive species. Nonethelss, it's here for good.

(It also is not protected like every other native bird. Muaaahahahaha!)

And I'd like to thank you for the ever pesky House Sparrow as well, lol! Just saw the thread and we've got the Starlings everywhere right now. There is a positive note (if you can call it that). The Starling has a unique call. :P

KarenNfld

04/24/2007 02:07:45 PM · #13

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by stargazer05766:

Do u think it could be a European Starling?...

Yes, that's what it is. The European Starling is not native to the US, and is thus considered an "invasive species." It was introduced to North America in the late 1800s, and is incredibly common across the North American continent, including all of the lower 48 US states, southern Canada, parts of Alaska, and northern Mexico.

Not just southern Canada, we have them here in Newfoundland by the thousands.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

04/24/2007 02:24:21 PM · #14

They must not taste very good. If they did, we'd not have them in the South. :-)

Jammur

Nikon D300

04/24/2007 02:31:05 PM · #15

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

They must not taste very good. If they did, we'd not have them in the South. :-)

It is nice to have you back, now to clean up the coffee I just sprayed all over my monitor.

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Nikon

04/24/2007 02:40:05 PM · #16

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

They must not taste very good. If they did, we'd not have them in the South. :-)

Why don't you do a taste test and let us know? ;)

vtruan

Nikon D5100

04/24/2007 03:00:54 PM · #17

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

They must not taste very good. If they did, we'd not have them in the South. :-)

They don't eat'um in the south, they use'um for fish bait. :)

Fromac

Nikon D7000

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

04/24/2007 03:14:02 PM · #18

Originally posted by kirbic:

Yes, but could one carry a coconut by gripping the husk?

How does a starling compare to a swallow (African or European) in the coconut carrying department, and have they been known to work together to transport significant loads across great distances?

Just wondering.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

04/24/2007 03:21:34 PM · #19

This thread has officially gone down the tubes.... :)

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

04/24/2007 03:26:34 PM · #20

OKay!! Someone has to say something in defence of the noisy, messy Starling, so here goes:

Not sure about the US, but over here in UK we get some spectular aerial displays around dusk in the Autumn from the Starlings as they flock ready to roost. It is a much televised event.

There, said it.

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

04/24/2007 03:36:33 PM · #21

Originally posted by BeeCee:

This thread has officially gone down the tubes.... :)

Or to the birds

Fromac

Nikon D7000

04/24/2007 03:39:04 PM · #22

No need to get all in a flap!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/24/2007 03:57:11 PM · #23

So now the crowing over bad puns starts? Do you folks look them up or just wing it?

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/24/2007 04:00:49 PM · #24

I don't think it's a European Starling, but a Mobile Starling

muhaaa :P