Scientific Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Aves, Passeriformes, Stumidae; Sturnus; S. vulgaris (there are about a dozen subspecies).

Bird Size & Markings: Starlings are about 9” long, stand 6” high, weigh about 3 ounces and have 13” wingspans. In flight their wings, head and tail make them look like four-pointed stars (which gives them their name). Plumage is dark purple or green iridescent in summer and brown with white spots on the breast in winter. It is a noisy bird, especially in communal roosts and has an unmusical but varied song.

Habitat: In the wild, they prefer open to semi-wooded areas and grasslands. The urban or city starling can be found on nearly any building or structure that offers roosting and nesting opportunities.

Nesting/Dens: Unpaired males create nests in a suitable cavity (usually on or in a
building) to attract females. Starlings lay 4 to 6 eggs in each brood and can hatch 3 broods a year. Brood fledge just 2 weeks after hatching. When nesting in large numbers, the nests are built close together and can appear to be one large pile of debris.

Food: Common starlings feed largely on insects. They can also eat seeds, grains, fruits, and nectar when it is available. While other bird species hop along the ground when feeding, starlings both walk and run along the ground. They prefer to forage in short cropped grass fields and lawns.

Impact on Human Health: More than 60 diseases have been identified in bird droppings. By returning to the same roosts, year after year, starlings create conditions
ideal for the growth of unwanted organisms, disease, and parasites.

Impact on Architecture: Bird droppings are hazardous to your property. Left untouched, acidic droppings can corrode or deteriorate all types of building material. It corrodes steel, rots wood, deteriorates concrete. The sheer weight of nests created by a group of starlings can damage or destroy channel letter signs, walkway canopies, gas pump canopy roofs, walkway and highway bridges, etc.

Common Starling Control Methods:

Bird Spikes: Premium Nixalite Stainless Spikes.

Bird Netting: K-Net HT Bird Netting, Bird-Net Bird Netting, PollyNet Bird Netting, EnduraNet Bird & Bat Netting, BareHand Crop & Vineyard Netting, Net-Zooka Net Launchers, Welded Wire Mesh.

Additional Products: Bird-Zap Shock Track, Live Capture Bird Traps, Copper Blocker Access Control, Vent & Chimney Guards, PiGNX, 4-the-Birds and Tanglefoot repellent pastes.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to check local, state and federal regulations regarding the control of bird and/or animal species. Simply purchasing the best control does not guarantee success. Best results come from a thorough knowledge of both the species and the product or method you employ. If you have any questions, please contact Nixalite of America Inc and speak with a bird control product specialist.

Factual content from Wikipedia, Audubon,
US Center for Disease Control and others.