Small black bird (1 Viewer)

[ncaltruist]

http://picasaweb.google.com/ncaltruist/Birds#5487961699386272082

http://picasaweb.google.com/ncaltruist/Birds#5487961751530647682

This is in Greensboro NC. I saw this one in my parking lot at work, when I was leaving one day.

 

[Ashley beolens]

Looks quite Eurasin starling like to my eyes?

 

[ncaltruist]

Oh no! I think you're right. I should have killed it! In US these and house sparrows are murderers.

 

[fugl]

Oh no! I think you're right. I should have killed it! In US these and house sparrows are murderers.

What nonsense! They're well-established non-native species (just like us), so learn to live with them.

 

[Jim M.]

Agree with Starling.

Oh no! I think you're right. I should have killed it! In US these and house sparrows are murderers.

I know where you are coming from. They have had some deleterious impacts on native species. But given that eradication seems impossible at this point, think we have to accept them as part of our avifauna.

 

[wildlifelove]

Starling!

 

[ncaltruist]

What nonsense! They're well-established non-native species (just like us), so learn to live with them.

Find someone who is a well respected author or well known birding figure who agrees with you, and I'll do what you suggest. Good luck. There's a reason they aren't protected by law in the US.

 

[chris butterworth]

As Fugl says " well established non-native species ( just like us" ). While North Americans get "excited" about Common Starlings and House Sparrows and we in the UK rant about Grtr Canada Goose, Eastern Grey Squirrels ( and Macdonalds ) we should give a thought to what the Australians and New Zealanders are stuck with. There are that many Starlings, House Sparrows and, I suspect, Eurasian Collared Doves now in North America that all you can do is accept the status quo and get on with it.

Chris

 

[Larry Lade]

No need to become argumentative, please.

Introduced species can become problematic irregardless of which country they happen to enter.

Larry Lade
BF Mod

 

[chris butterworth]

No need to become argumentative, please.

Introduced species can become problematical irregardless of which country they happen to enter.

Argumentative ? Moi ? Never, Larry

Sweetness and Light Chris o o o

 

[Larry Lade]

I am not pointing the finger at a particular individual(s).

Just trying to keep the topic from getting out of hand.

 

[martin872]

Oh no! I think you're right. I should have killed it! In US these and house sparrows are murderers.

how are they murderers ?

 

[Larry Lade]

This particular forum is for Bird Identification. Nothing more, nothing less!

So, let's just stick with with ID of the bird.

If this thread turns into a diatribe, we will relegate it to "Ruffled Feathers" or delete it!

Thank you for your consideration.

 

[fugl]

Find someone who is a well respected author or well known birding figure who agrees with you, and I'll do what you suggest. Good luck. There's a reason they aren't protected by law in the US.

I will, as soon as you show me a ”well-respected” anybody who calls songbirds “murderers”.

 

[cavan wood]

Fugl and Jim are well respected bird figures. I used to hate starlings as a kid, but gave it up as a waste of energy.

Scott

 

[Reuven_M]

Also the fact that killing one starling will accomplish precisely nothing.

 

[RJP]

how are they murderers ?

I don't want to encourage any emotional outbursts here, but I will answer this assuming the question was sincere. House Sparrows and European Starlings have had a very negative impact on some native North American bird species. They are both agressive birds that will out-compete some native cavity nesters for nesting space. Prime examples would be Eastern Bluebirds (hurt by House Sparrows), and Red-headed Woodpeckers (hurt by European Starlings). In particular, House Sparrows are known to actually kill Eastern Bluebirds in fights over nests (not sure about Starlings in this regard).

 

[John In Ireland]

A bit similar to Cuckoo's, Magpie's, and Sparrowhawks we have here I suppose. Never seen or heard of this with a Sparrow or Starling. Anyway perhaps you are right, but let's learn to live with them or we will be shooting every bird of prey we see.

 

[ncaltruist]

Okay, so I found out what type of bird was in the picture. From the angle, I couldn't see the spots, but now I can see that's clearly what it is. Thank you friends!

 

[james holdsworth]

Lots of our native species have the same bad habitats. House Wren for one is a rather viscious little fellow that will break eggs, kill young and ruin nests of competing species.

House Wren is partly to blame for the demise of the Prothonotary Warbler here in Ontario.

Like others here, I use to loath EUST HOSP but have mellowed over the years. They have filled their niche, the current generation are essentially native, local species have learned to cope, so let them be.