Common starling — Sturnus vulgaris
Common starling is a familiar bird of farmland, grasslands and urban environments. It has dark plumage with metallic sheen, often feeds on open ground and nests in cavities.
What identifies the common starling and where does it live?
Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is recognised by dark plumage with green and blue sheen, a pointed bill and short tail. It uses farmland, grasslands, woodland edges and urban environments and commonly nests in cavities.
Source: SLU Swedish Species Information Centre: Artfakta – common starling · Last verified: 8 September 2026
Red List classification may change in future assessment cycles and should be reverified when updated.
SLU describes the starling as dark with green and blue metallic sheen, a pointed pale bill and short tail.
The species occurs in farmland, open grasslands, woodland and urban environments.
Starlings nest in cavities, including tree holes, and readily use nest boxes.
In Sweden’s 2025 Red List the species is classified as Vulnerable (VU). Such classifications belong to a specific assessment cycle.