Adult European Starling on the shore of a pond
The first bird I saw in 2021 was a European Starling perched on a power line on the road to my local grocery store about 8:15 am yesterday morning. I didn’t have my camera with me and it probably wouldn’t have done much good because of the heavy fog.
I didn’t go out into the field on New Year’s Day because of the fog but I heard some birds outside of my window and took photos of them with my cell phone because they were too close for my long lens. Which means the first birds I photographed in 2021 were also European Starlings. A large flock of them were foraging right outside of my living room window. I even took a video but because of the low light I didn’t like it much at all.
The starlings outside my window were quite noisy though and if I can extract their calls from my video I will post that sound wave on this post. A recording of a large flock can be listened to here.
European Starling at a pond’s edge
The European Starling in the top two photos was at my local pond on Christmas Eve day. I loved seeing the starling walking around at the pond’s edge and how the iridescence of its plumage seemed to glow.
I know that some people might not be happy to have an introduced bird be the first bird they see in the New Year but for me a bird is a bird is a bird. I am fascinated by them all.
European Starling bill colors – Composite image
I think the bill color of the European Starlings I see and photograph during the winter are interesting because they are in between nonbreeding and breeding bill colors. When European Starlings are in nonbreeding plumage their bills are black. When they are in breeding plumage their bills are yellow. This time of the year it is somewhere in between.
I’m looking forward to really getting out in the field for the first time in 2021. Who knows what birds I will see.
Life is good.
For information on European Starlings and to see more of my starling photos please click here.
Mia
These are beautiful photos. I grew up with European Starlings in Germany. I was always fascinated with their sparkling feathers. Sadly I was never able to collect one of them. I would have loved that particular momento. Alas, having your great pictures makes up for it. I will always treasure them.
Wonderful pics to start the New Year and your narrative is fascinating. Thanks Mia.
Beautifulphotos Mia.
They are indeed quite lovely (albeit a bit on the noisy side 😉 ). All in all, not a bad way to start the year, especially when you don’t even need to leave your home.
A star spangled beauty. They didn’t ask to be introduced to your country (or mine) and like every other bird continue to work for their survival.
What a beautiful start, Mia! Happy New Year!