Starlings in the Snow

The snow is falling heavily here today in Clearfield County, and many different birds are rioting beneath my feeder. I've still a huge flock of goldfinch, many pine siskins, lots of juncos, several blue jays, a few cardinals, many ever-patient mourning doves, and arriving today, a band of European Starlings.

European Starlings (introduced into U.S over a century ago) are considered a nuisance by many because they compete with native species for food and nesting cavities. But life in the wild is all about competition, so I don't begrudge them that. Starlings are here in large number this morning, fighting over the hanging suet bar and poking at the sunflowers seeds I've scattered over the ground. But for the mourning doves, who are of similar size, the starlings look huge beside the much smaller siskins and goldfinch, both relunctant to give ground since they, too, are hungry on this cold, snowy day.

In their winter (non-breeding plumage) these birds appear mostly black with creamy white specks. However, in the warmer months of breeding, their feathers acquire a beautiful iridescent sheen of green and purple. Today, with their feathers puffed out against the cold, these stocky black birds make quite a contrast to the snow. The photo provided here (courtesy of U.S Fish & Wildlife Service) clearly shows the creamy spots of their winter plumage, though I'm sorry there's no snow.

I'm off to do some shoveling and to scatter some more sunflower seeds for visitors.
Till next time . . . happy birding!

Georgia Anne