What are some facts about the European starling?

European starlings are highly social birds that mimic a wide range of sounds, including human speech. Shakespeare enthusiasts introduced starlings into Central Park in the 1890s. Since the release of the first 100 birds, the species' numbers have grown to more than 200 million birds, as of December 2015.

The European starling is an omnivore that eats insects, snails, fruit and nectar. They nest in cavities and cause problems by competing with native cavity-nesting birds. They frequently take over active nesting sites of other species, often killing and disposing of the current occupant's eggs and chicks. The increase in the numbers of starlings causes the decline of some species, such as sapsuckers.