Common name: Common Starling
Scientific name: Sturnus vulgaris
Family: Sturnidae

Size:
Body length: 19–23 cm
Wingspan: 31–44 cm
Weight: 60–100 g

Identification:
A medium-sized passerine with glossy black plumage that shows iridescent green and purple sheen in good light. In winter, the body is heavily speckled with white spots, giving a spotted appearance. The bill is yellow in breeding season and darker in winter. It has a short tail, pointed wings, and a strong, direct flight.

Habitat:
Highly adaptable and found in a wide range of habitats including urban areas, farmland, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal regions.

Status in the UAE:
Common winter visitor. Often seen in large flocks across urban and rural areas during the cooler months.

Diet:
Omnivorous — feeds on insects, worms, fruits, seeds, and human food waste. Forages both on the ground and in vegetation.

Behavior:
Highly social and famous for forming large flocks, sometimes creating spectacular aerial displays known as murmurations. Vocal and capable of mimicking other birds and sounds. Often nests in cavities in buildings or trees.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)