Red-Billed Starling vs Common Starling

Red-Billed Starling

Spodiopsar sericeus

How to recognise a red-billed starling?

General appearance

The Red-Billed Starling is a medium-sized bird known for its glossy, black plumage that sometimes shimmers under light, and a starkly contrasting red bill. Adults typically measure between 20 to 25 cm, with strong legs, robust bodies, and a relatively short tail. Its eyes are usually dark brown. The species is quick on foot and displays dexterous flying skills.

Male vs female

Male and female Red-Billed Starlings are surprisingly similar in appearance, with both sexes boasting glossy black plumage and a bright red bill. However, the males tend to be slightly larger than the females. Females may also show a lighter coloration around the bill during breeding season, acting as a possible identifier.

Juvenile

Juvenile Red-Billed Starlings lack the glossy sheen seen in adults and have a darker, brownish-black plumage. Their bills are usually darker, not becoming fully red until they reach adulthood. Juveniles' eyes appear to be more of a dull grey than the rich brown seen in adults. Despite their lack of striking coloration, their overall structure greatly resembles that of adults.

Size

8.3 - 9.4 in/2.3 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Red-billed starlings are predominantly found throughout China, specifically in areas with moderate climates. They favor mountainous regions with dense woodland and shrubland.

Additional range

Additionally, these birds can occupy an expanded range that includes urban areas and parks. Despite their preference for woodlands, they demonstrate adaptability to several environments.

Range Map

What do red-billed starlings like to eat?

Natural diet

The red-billed starling primarily feeds on fruits, seeds, and insects. It is known to consume a variety of berries, especially during the breeding season. The starling also hunts for small invertebrates such as beetles, caterpillars, and crustaceans. These birds are often seen foraging on the ground or in trees, taking advantage of the availability of food sources in different environments.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, red-billed starlings tend to eat a variety of commercially available birdseed mixes, including sunflower seeds and cracked corn. They are also attracted to suet and may occasionally consume bread or fruit offerings. Although not as common as other backyard birds at feeders, when present, the red-billed starling adapts to the easy food supply provided.

What does a red-billed starling sound like?

The Red-billed Starling’s vocalizations include both intricate songs and calls. Its song, often delivered from a prominent perch or in flight, is a melodious and continuous warbling with repetitive phrases. The call is typically a harsh, loud “chack” or “churr”. In a mixed-species flock, their combined chatter adds an abundant background noise. Males are known to be more vocally active and engage in varied performances aiming for territorial defense or attracting a mate.

Call

Audio by Ding Li Yong

/ CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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Common Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Also known as: European Starling, Starling

How to recognise a common starling?

General appearance

The common starling is about the size of a robin, measuring 8 1/2 inches (22 cm) in length. It possesses a short tail and a thin straight bill. Its plumage changes with the seasons, appearing black with glimmers of purple and green in spring and summer. It is speckled with white in the fall, which wear off during winter.

Male vs female

The bills of both sexes change color throughout the year - bright yellow during the breeding season. The base of the lower mandible takes a different hue, with males displaying a blue color and females, a pink one. The bills are duller during other seasons.

Juvenile

Juvenile common starlings, often seen in flocks in summer, differ greatly in appearance from the adults. Their plumage is dusty gray, and their bills are dark.

Size

7.9 - 9.1 in/1.9 - 3.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The common starling predominantly inhabits cities, parks, farms, open groves, and fields, being most numerous in farm country and suburban areas.

Additional range

Though usually scarce in wild forest, scrub, or desert areas, starlings are known to breed around buildings or settlements within these environments.

Range Map

What do common starlings like to eat?

Natural diet

The common starling's natural diet is diverse and includes a variety of insects and invertebrates such as beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, and earthworms. They are also known to feed on fruits and berries, including cherries, plums, and blackberries, particularly in the late summer and fall.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, common starlings often consume suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and mealworms. They are attracted to suet cakes and balls, which provide high-energy food, especially in colder weather. Starlings are also known to eat breadcrumbs and other food scraps provided at feeders.

What does a common starling sound like?

The common starling produces a series of discordant, musical, squeaky, and rasping notes, often mimicking other birds' calls. Its distinctive marking call is a descending whee-ee, with a call pattern that is falling, flat, rising, and undulating. The varied call types include trills, whistles, and screams, as well as chirps or chips.

Call

Audio by Gabriel Leite

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Red-Billed Starling

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Common Starling

Red-Billed Starling

Spodiopsar sericeus

General appearance

The Red-Billed Starling is a medium-sized bird known for its glossy, black plumage that sometimes shimmers under light, and a starkly contrasting red bill. Adults typically measure between 20 to 25 cm, with strong legs, robust bodies, and a relatively short tail. Its eyes are usually dark brown. The species is quick on foot and displays dexterous flying skills.

Male vs female

Male and female Red-Billed Starlings are surprisingly similar in appearance, with both sexes boasting glossy black plumage and a bright red bill. However, the males tend to be slightly larger than the females. Females may also show a lighter coloration around the bill during breeding season, acting as a possible identifier.

Juvenile

Juvenile Red-Billed Starlings lack the glossy sheen seen in adults and have a darker, brownish-black plumage. Their bills are usually darker, not becoming fully red until they reach adulthood. Juveniles' eyes appear to be more of a dull grey than the rich brown seen in adults. Despite their lack of striking coloration, their overall structure greatly resembles that of adults.

Size

8.3 - 9.4 in/2.3 oz

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Common Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Also known as: European Starling, Starling

General appearance

The common starling is about the size of a robin, measuring 8 1/2 inches (22 cm) in length. It possesses a short tail and a thin straight bill. Its plumage changes with the seasons, appearing black with glimmers of purple and green in spring and summer. It is speckled with white in the fall, which wear off during winter.

Male vs female

The bills of both sexes change color throughout the year - bright yellow during the breeding season. The base of the lower mandible takes a different hue, with males displaying a blue color and females, a pink one. The bills are duller during other seasons.

Juvenile

Juvenile common starlings, often seen in flocks in summer, differ greatly in appearance from the adults. Their plumage is dusty gray, and their bills are dark.

Size

7.9 - 9.1 in/1.9 - 3.6 oz

There's more to learn about Common Starling

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How to tell the Red-Billed Starling from the Common Starling

Visual differences

The Red-Billed Starling is visually distinguishable from the Common Starling primarily by its glossy black plumage contrasting with a bright red bill, whereas the Common Starling's plumage ranges from black with iridescent purple and green hues in spring to speckled with white feathers in fall. In terms of size, both species are similar, measuring 8 to 9.5 inches. The Red-Billed's bill is consistently red, while the Common's bill is thin, changing to bright yellow in breeding season. Juvenile Red-Billeds have brownish plumage, contrasting with the dustier gray of juvenile Commons.

Key differences and behavior

The Red-Billed Starling prefers mountainous woodlands in China but adapts to urban parks, whereas the Common Starling thrives in cities, parks, and farms across Europe and North America, avoiding wild forests and deserts. While both birds exhibit social behavior, Red-Billed Starlings form large, loud winter roosts, compared to the Common Starling's spectacular murmuration displays. In terms of diet, both consume insects and fruits, but Common Starlings feed more on insects like beetles and grasshoppers. Breeding behaviors differ; Red-Billed males perform aerial courtship displays and nest in tree cavities, while Common Starlings choose any available cavity and males may have multiple mates. Both participate in nesting but have varied approaches to nest building.