8 replies to this topic

[BigSkyKen]

I had this tentatively identified as a female European Starling, but have to admit that I've never paid close enough attention to them to know that I'm correct. Take at Cobh Harbor, Ireland, July 2011

[Parula]

yep just a starling

[JimBob]

I would call it a juvenile.

[BigSkyKen]

Thanks!

[Liam]

I agree with JimBob, a juvenile. Starlings aren't sexually dimorphic.

[JimBob]

I agree with JimBob, a juvenile. Starlings aren't sexually dimorphic.

I read that male starlings have a blue base of the beak, and females pink. . . That true?

[meghann]

I read one thing that said in the summer, the females beaks are completely yellow, while the males' are yellow with a bluish gray base.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

I read that male starlings have a blue base of the beak, and females pink. . . That true?

You're right, JimBob, but that only applies when the birds are in their breeding plumage. BNA also states that females have a bright colored ring around their iris that males lack, but that's probably tough to see in all but the sharpest close-ups.

Agree that BigSkyKen's bird is a juvenile.

[JimBob]

Thanks billy, just wish I could remember where I heard that. . . I bet it is in one of my bazillion field guides.