The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a medium-sized passerine bird native to Europe and western Asia. Recognizable by its stocky build, short tail, and long, slender beak, the starling's plumage appears black from a distance but reveals iridescent shades of purple and green upon closer inspection. During winter, their feathers are adorned with white spots, giving them a speckled appearance. allaboutbirds.org
In the late 19th century, European Starlings were introduced to North America, where they have since become one of the continent's most numerous songbirds. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive in various habitats, including urban areas, agricultural lands, and open countrysides. Starlings are highly social birds, often forming large flocks, especially during the non-breeding season. These flocks perform mesmerizing aerial displays known as murmurations, where thousands of birds move in coordinated patterns, creating dynamic shapes in the sky. allaboutbirds.org
A notable characteristic of the European Starling is its vocal mimicry. Starlings possess a complex repertoire of sounds and are known to imitate noises from their environment, including the calls of other bird species and even mechanical sounds. This mimicry showcases their intelligence and adaptability. audubon.org
In Taiwan, the European Starling is considered a rare visitor. While not native to the region, occasional sightings have been recorded, indicating that some individuals may stray from their typical migratory paths. Despite their rarity in Taiwan, the presence of European Starlings adds to the rich diversity of avian life observed on the island. en.wikipedia.org
歐洲椋鳥 (Sturnus vulgaris)
歐洲椋鳥（Sturnus vulgaris）是一種中等大小的雀形目鳥類，原產於歐洲和西亞。 其體型結實，尾巴短小，喙細長。 從遠處看，羽毛呈黑色，但近看會發現帶有紫色和綠色的虹彩光澤。 冬季時，羽毛上佈滿白色斑點，呈現斑駁的外觀。
19世紀末，歐洲椋鳥被引入北美洲，現已成為該大陸數量最多的鳴禽之一。 牠們的適應能力使其能夠在各種棲息地中生存，包括城市地區、農田和開闊的鄉村。 椋鳥是高度群居的鳥類，特別是在非繁殖季節，常形成大型群體。 這些群體會進行引人入勝的空中表演，稱為“群舞”，數千隻鳥兒協調飛行，在天空中創造出動態的形狀。
歐洲椋鳥的一個顯著特點是其聲音模仿能力。 牠們擁有複雜的聲音組合，能模仿環境中的各種聲音，包括其他鳥類的叫聲，甚至是機械聲音。 這種模仿能力展示了牠們的智慧和適應性。
在台灣，歐洲椋鳥被視為罕見的訪客。 雖然非本地物種，但偶爾有觀察記錄，表明一些個體可能偏離了其典型的遷徙路線。 儘管在台灣罕見，歐洲椋鳥的出現為該島豐富的鳥類多樣性增添了色彩。
