June 23, 2026

We are European Starlings

We have a very astute sense of taste

When we taste sucrose

We say, "ewww, gross!"

We can't digest it and stop eating posthaste.

Location: Maumee Bay State Park Lodge, Oregon, Ohio

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/overview

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

August 16, 2025

I am a juvenile European Starling

The tips of my feathers appear to be white spots

The white tips eventually wear off every year

Then I molt, get new tips, and hence, dots.

Location: Reid Park, Tuscon, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/overview

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

February 11, 2025

We are a pair of European Starlings

Getting down though it's early in the season

We're cavity nesters and we've got our own place

And love doesn't need a reason. 

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 9, 2022

I am known as a European Starling

Descended from 100 birds released in New York City

Now there are millions of us spread from the west to east coast

I'm a nuisance bird, but at least I'm quite pretty!

Location: North Broadway, Fellsmere

Sources: European Starling: Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 25, 2022

We are European Starlings

The Neotropics are the only place that we aren't found

We nest in holes and crevices

And make a whole orchestra of sounds. 

Location: Riverview Park, Vero

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/sounds

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Sturnus_vulgaris/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 22, 2021

I am a non-breeding European Starling

You can tell by the white speckles on my chest

And my beak is not yellow, I'm a drab fellow

But I'm not breeding now, so why look my best?

Location: WW Ranch Road, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Sebastian

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/overview#

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 10, 2021

I am known as a European Starling

My color, shape and beak make me unique visually

I am known to mimic the sound of other birds calls, 

If you ID me by sound, you might be wrong initially.

Location: West Cocoa

Sources: https://naturalhistory2.si.edu/smsfp/IRLspec/sturnus_vulgaris.htm

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson