Some years ago I had a colleague in the USFWS doing some research on the
Starling problem. Some of the things he told me. They consume enormous
amounts of grain in cattle feed lots. Also consume large amounts of cull
French fries also in feed lots. They roost in holly trees in such
numbers that they overferilize the trees so much that the boughs and
twigs grow long and straggly so as to be unfit for the Christmas wreath
trade.There was a place, I believe in Missouri, where they would roost
at night in some trees in such numbers that their droppings resulted in
a beautiful substrate for the organsism causing Histoplasmosis, a
disease akin to pneumonia. A scout troop was cleaning up under these
trees and many came down with histoplasmosis which baffled health
workers as to where the scouts contracted it. Most know, or should know,
that they usurp nesting sites of cavity nesting birds like Tree
Swallows, kill and adults or nestlings found within. Also harass Wood
Ducks so they abandon cavities which the Starlings take over, etc. etc.
The House Sparrow is also guilty of most of these actions. If you
sympathize with Starlings and House Sparrows, I think your sympathese
are misplaced. Ugh, I have spoken, ugh.
Euge Kridler
Sequim.Wa.