| Photo Information |
Copyright: Siarhei Biazberdy (biazberdy)
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 47 W: 6 N: 58]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif) (360) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-05-05 |
| Categories: Birds |
| Camera: Canon 30 D |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-05-05 10:42 |
| Viewed: 516 |
| Points: 0 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturnidae. The name "Sturnidae" comes from the Latin word for Starling, sturnus. Starlings occur naturally in the Old World, from Europe, Asia and Africa, to northern Australia and the islands of the tropical Pacific. Several European and Asian species have been introduced to these areas as well as North America, Hawaii and New Zealand.
Starlings have strong feet, their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Several species live around human habitation, and are effectively omnivores. Many species search for food by opening the bill after probing it into dense vegetation; this behavior is called "open-bill probing" or is referred to by the German word "zirkeln" (pronounced [ˈtsɪʁkl̩n]).
Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. Most species nest in holes, laying blue or white eggs.
Many Asian species, particularly the larger ones, are called mynas, and many African species are known as glossy starlings because of their iridescent plumage. |
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