Tuesday February 22, 2011

 

 

European Starling

In Winter Colors

Thursday, February 17

 

 

I was surprised to see a European Starling at the suet last week.

 

 

I’ve never paid much attention to them, because I just knew them as a pesky bird.

 

 

He was intent on eating suet.

 

 

I didn’t know they have pretty winter colors until I was able to see it up close.

 

 

Only when I checked my bird book Stockes Field Guide to Birds (Eastern Region) did I learn that a starling has a different winter and summer coat of feathers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was fun to have a bit of time to observe it so close to the window.