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Breeding Birds of North Dakota

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris (Linnaeus))

Breeding Range. The first state record of this introduced pest species was reported from the J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge on March 30, 1938 (refuge file of bird records). On July 25, 1939, Youngworth (1944b) observed a few Starlings in Dickey County. Other early records include a specimen collected on March 26, 1940 at Larimore in Grand Forks County by Alfred Eastgate; a pair observed later in the spring of 1940 at Grafton by H. V. Williams; a record at Minot on December 8, 1940 (Stine 1945); and records at LaMoure in 1942 (M. L. Coyne).

During the past 10 years (1961-1971), breeding pairs of Starlings were found throughout the state wherever appropriate habitat conditions occurred. The greater breeding populations were found in the eastern third of North Dakota, and in this portion of the state, Starlings were considered as being fairly common. Elsewhere, breeding populations were rather limited and quite local.

Breeding Habitat. Starlings are usually associated with buildings and established lawns, trees, and shrub growth that are characteristic of various types of human habitation. These include parks and residential areas in towns, farmsteads, and nearby woodlots and fields of the countryside.

Nesting. Approximate breeding season: Mid-April to early July; peak, late April to mid-June. Adults were observed feeding nestlings on May 28, 1961 (RES) and on May 29, 1970 (P. F. Springer) in Stutsman County. Various types of cavities in trees including old woodpecker holes are used for nesting sites. Bird houses, particularly those constructed for use by Purple Martins, are also utilized in some areas.

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