Starling

Mount Torlesse at 8.16am

Starling in breeding colours

Starlings, Sturnus vulgaris, are common here.  There are 5 or 6 pairs nesting around my house.  They are not a nuisance at all.  They don't make use of the bird feeders, even in very bad weather, and they don't flock.  Only after the chicks have fledged do I see a group of 20 or so.  They spend most of their time grazing in the fields, but they come home at night and roost near their nest sites.  The males have favourite perches where they say their piece.  Their song consists of clicks and squeaks, chortles and gurgles, and fair imitations of lambs bleating, blackbird, bellbird, fantail and a stick being dragged along a picket fence.

Nor'wester and Starling

Mount Torlesse with a build-up of nor'wester cloud behind. 7.44am

Starling in late afternoon rain

The nor'west wind brought mild, dry conditions, but spill-over rain from the mountains late in the day.

The starling is the male of one of six or seven pairs that nest within my garden. Although I put food out for the birds they never touch it, preferring to graze in nearby fields or on my lawn.