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Those Pesky Starlings
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In Europe, They're 'Little Stars'
People in Europe often get annoyed with starlings, too. But long ago they kept the birds as pets and taught them to talk. The famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was proud of his pet starling because it could sing music he had written.
Some Europeans still think the birds are wonderful. In Denmark, starlings put on a big show during migration. Flocks of millions of birds darken the sky in what is called the Black Sun celebration. For a few weeks each spring and fall, the birds swirl and whoosh above the marshes every evening. Eventually, they fly far away to their nesting and wintering places.
Starlings (meaning "little stars") were named for the white speckles on their feathers. In fall, when they grow new ones, each feather has a white tip. By the beginning of summer most of the white "stars" are worn off, and the birds look dark. But at any time, when they sit in bright sunlight, shimmering colors bounce off their black feathers.
Starlings are clever and interesting, and it looks as if they're here to stay. Those original 100 birds have multiplied to more than 200 million across North America.
It seems nothing can stop them!
-- Claire Miller
