The European Starling Sturnus vulgaris molts its feathers in the
fall and the new feather tips are whitish, giving the bird the
appearance of “stars” covering their body. Over the winter
sunlight and weather dulls the speckled look and the bird
becomes uniform dark brown or black. Both sexes also have
reddish brown legs, and seasonal changes in bill color (yellow
in the spring, black in the fall). Males sport a bluish spot at
the base of their beaks, while the female displays a reddish
pink speck. Juvenile birds are large dull gray or black. The
European Starling is insectivorous when breeding and typically
consumes insects including caterpillars, moths, and cicadas, as
well as spiders. The starlings like to grab bugs directly from
the air or plunge their beaks into the ground randomly and
repetitively until an insect has been found. In the winter
starlings are omnivorous and can also eat grains, seeds, fruits,
nectar, and food scraps. In 1890’s, 100 starlings were released
into New York City’s Central Park.