European starling

Starlings probe lawns for grubs, opening their bills inside the soil to part it. In winter they form huge flocks, and their synchronised flights, called murmurations, are one of nature's great spectacles.

About 100 European starlings were released in New York's Central Park in 1890 and 1891; their descendants number in the tens of millions. They compete with native birds such as bluebirds and woodpeckers for nest cavities. They are also skilled mimics and eat many lawn grubs.

Nest — Any cavity: trees, buildings, nest boxes
Eggs — Usually four to six
Incubation — About 12 days
Chicks — Fed by both parents
Flight — At about 21 days
Lifespan — A few years

• Nest boxes with entrance holes of 3.8 cm or less keep starlings out of bluebird boxes.
• As a non-native bird it is not protected like native species, but it can still suffer; some rehabilitators do not take non-native birds, so it is worth asking first.

• Starlings were brought here to fulfil a Shakespeare fan's plan. The story is widely told but poorly documented; the releases were real, the motive is uncertain.

• Common grackle
• House sparrow