I am going to use the word “abundant” to describe the European Starling.

We rarely think of the starling as a beautiful bird, but I rather like their pretty speckled, winter coat of feathers.

First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent’s most numerous songbirds.

Successfully introduced in Central Park, New York, 1890–91; across continent by late 1940s. Population currently exceeds 200 million.

Though they’re sometimes resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, they’re still dazzling birds when you get a good look.

Covered in white spots during winter, they turn dark and glossy in summer. For much of the year, they wheel through the sky and mob lawns in big, noisy flocks.

Starlings are relatives of the mynah birds, and like them they have impressive vocal abilities and a gift for mimicry.

Widespread and abundant in much of North America, they are arguably and problematically the most successful bird on the continent.