Common starlings are highly adaptable birds found across a wide range of habitats, often observed foraging in grassy areas. Their presence in lawns and pastures is a familiar sight, where they diligently search for sustenance. While starlings are known for their varied diet, their ground-foraging habits are particularly efficient, allowing them to exploit resources present just beneath or on the surface of the grass. This ability to thrive in diverse environments highlights their opportunistic feeding strategies.
Insect and Invertebrate Delights
When foraging in grassy environments, starlings primarily consume insects and other invertebrates, which constitute a significant portion of their diet. Approximately 58% of an adult starling’s diet consists of invertebrates, providing them with necessary nutrients. These protein-rich sources are particularly important for starling chicks, whose diet is almost exclusively insects.
Starlings seek out insect larvae, known as grubs, including the larval stages of beetles like chafers and crane flies (leatherjackets). These grubs reside just beneath the turf, making them accessible to foraging birds. Earthworms are another staple, especially after rainfall softens the soil, allowing starlings to pull them from the ground.
The birds employ specific foraging techniques to locate these hidden meals. One common method is “probing,” where a starling plunges its beak into the ground repeatedly until an insect is found. They may also use “bill gaping,” opening their beak in the soil to enlarge a hole and access prey. Starlings also visually scan the surface, lunging to capture moving invertebrates or picking insects directly from the grass. Short-cropped grass facilitates this foraging, enhancing their mobility, prey detection, and visibility for spotting potential predators.
Seeds, Fruits, and Unexpected Treats
While insects form the bulk of a starling’s diet in grassy areas, these omnivorous birds also supplement their meals. Starlings consume plant matter, including fallen seeds from various plants or trees near grassy patches. They also eat fallen berries, providing additional nutrients and an energy boost.
Beyond plant-based foods, starlings are known to be opportunistic scavengers. They may consume very small vertebrates, such as lizards or amphibians, if encountered hiding within the grass. This broader dietary flexibility allows starlings to adapt to seasonal changes in food availability, ensuring they can find sustenance even when insect populations are lower.