Spotless Starling

The Spotless Starling, known scientifically as Sturnus unicolor, is a member of the starling family, Sturnidae. It bears a striking resemblance to its cousin, the Common Starling, but is distinguished by its slightly larger size, measuring 21-23 cm in length and weighing between 70-100 grams. Its plumage is a glossy, oily black, which may exhibit purple or green iridescence under bright light. Notably, during the spring and summer, its feathers are completely devoid of spots, while in winter, it sports only minuscule pale spots.

Identification Tips

To identify the Spotless Starling, look for its longer throat feathers, which are double the length of those on the Common Starling, creating a pronounced "beard" especially visible when the bird vocalizes. Its legs are a vivid pink, and the bill color changes with the seasons: yellow with a bluish or pinkish base in summer, and a duller, often blackish hue in winter. Juveniles present a dull brown plumage, darker than their common counterparts, with a black bill and brown legs.

Habitat

The Spotless Starling is quite adaptable, inhabiting a variety of open environments from farmlands and olive groves to urban areas. It thrives particularly well in open grazed holm oak woods and in cities like Gibraltar, where it is a common sight.

Distribution

This bird has a more restricted range compared to the Common Starling, being native to the Iberian Peninsula, Northwest Africa, southernmost France, and the islands of Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia. It is largely sedentary, with its population having expanded northward in recent decades.

Behaviour

The Spotless Starling is a sociable creature, often seen in sizeable flocks that can number up to 100,000 in the winter months. These flocks may include Common Starlings as well. It exhibits a strong, direct flight and, like its relative, walks rather than hops.

Song & Calls

A vocal bird, the Spotless Starling is an accomplished mimic. Its calls are reminiscent of the Common Starling but are notably louder.

Breeding

As a cavity-nesting species, the Spotless Starling makes its home in tree holes, buildings, and cliff crevices. It typically lays a clutch of three to five eggs.

Similar Species

The Spotless Starling can be confused with the Common Starling, especially in winter when the latter is abundant in its range. It can also be mistaken for the Common Blackbird, which can be differentiated by its longer tail and the absence of a glossy sheen on its plumage.

Diet and Feeding

An omnivorous bird, the Spotless Starling's diet includes a wide array of invertebrates, berries, and human-provided food scraps.

Conservation status

The Spotless Starling is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.