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Platte River Status: An abundant permanent resident throughout the study area. The first Nebraska record of European starling was obtained from near Hastings, Adams County 6 to 9 June 1937 (Hudson 1938).

Breeding Range: An abundant permanent resident on the Eastern Plain, Dissected Plain, and in the Platte River Valley physiographic region west through Lincoln County. Common in the Western Plain, Sandhills, and the Platte River Valley (in Deuel, Garden and Keith Counties). Common in regions associated with human habitation; fairly common and more local away from the influence of humans in the Western Plain and Sandhills.

Breeding Population: The population in 1979-1980 was established at 85,000 breeding pairs. European starling ranked 13th in abundance among all nesting species, and made up 2.9% of the total breeding bird population in the study area those years.

Habitat: We found the largest mean breeding density in shelterbelts (121.7 pairs/km²) followed by residential (39.0 pairs/km²), lowland forest (11.7 pairs/km²), river channel islands (1.5 pairs/km²), wet prairie (1.0 pairs/km²), and upland prairie (0.5 pairs/km²). European starling is numerous in areas supporting an abundance of natural and man-made cavities that are occupied for nesting. This species appears to be attracted to wooded habitats adjacent to livestock feedlots, probably because of the abundant and readily accessible food resource found there. Graber and Graber (1963) reported largest nesting densities in Illinois from urban/residential areas. Among rural habitats, largest densities were in orchards.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: European starling has benefited from the influence of man in the Platte River Valley, through provision of suitable nest sites and an ample food resource.

Nesting Data: We have found two European starling nests in the study area during early June; mean clutch size was 4.0 eggs. Egg dates in Kansas range from 1 March to 30 June; this species is often double brooded (Johnsgard 1979).