Fact Sheets - Controlling Starling Damage at Feedlots European
starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were introduced into the United
States in the late 1800's, and have since increased their range
from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts and from southern Canada
to northern Mexico. There are well over 160 million starlings in
the US, and they are found in rural, suburban and urban areas in
a variety of habitats. They consume seeds and fruits of wild and
cultivated plants, insects and other invertebrates, livestock
(feed) grains, and garbage. On dairy farms and cattle feedlots,
starling damage occurs in several forms: 1. Consumption of
cattle feed can cause considerable economic losses, since
starlings can consume up to 50% of their body weight in grain
each day. Flocks in the tens or hundreds of thousands staying
for several months can be a significant economic hardship to
producers. 2. Fecal contamination of cattle feed and drinking
water can create disease hazards for cattle, especially calves
and pregnant cows. 3. F