The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is classified as an opportunistic omnivore, meaning its diet is exceptionally flexible. This adaptability allows the species to thrive across diverse environments, from rural farmland to dense urban centers. Starlings switch between high-protein animal matter and carbohydrate-rich plant foods depending on availability.
Primary Food Source: Invertebrates and Arthropods
Animal matter, specifically invertebrates and arthropods, forms the primary component of the starling’s diet, especially during spring and summer, providing the high-protein intake necessary for the energetic demands of breeding and raising young.
The birds actively seek out a range of prey, focusing on those found on or just below the soil surface. Common items include earthworms, snails, spiders, and various insects in both larval and adult stages. They show a particular preference for soil-dwelling pests like the larvae of beetles (wireworms) and the crane fly larvae (leatherjackets).
Seasonal Shift to Plant-Based Foods
A noticeable shift in the starling’s diet occurs from late summer through the colder winter months, moving from a protein-dominant diet to one rich in carbohydrates and sugars. As insects and other invertebrates become scarce, the birds rely heavily on fruits, berries, and agricultural products for energy.
Starlings consume a wide variety of cultivated fruits, often causing significant damage to commercial crops like cherries, grapes, apples, and peaches. They also forage heavily on wild plant matter, including the fruits of sumac, elderberries, and hackberries. During the coldest periods, starlings frequently turn to grains and agricultural waste, such as scattered corn and livestock feed. Because they process plant material less efficiently than animal matter, they must consume a greater quantity of these foods to meet their daily metabolic requirements.
Foraging Behavior and Habitat
Their most distinctive foraging technique is known as “gaping” or “probing,” a specialized method for accessing buried food. The bird inserts its closed, strong bill into the soil, then forcefully opens it to pry apart the substrate and expose any hidden insects or larvae.
Starlings prefer to forage in open areas with short vegetation, such as lawns, pastures, and farm fields. They are highly social foragers, often feeding in large, cohesive flocks that move across the ground like a rolling carpet, a behavior sometimes called “roller-feeding.” In addition to their food intake, starlings require a consistent source of water for drinking and bathing, which influences their habitat selection near ponds or open water sources.