The Common Starling is a winter visitor to Qatar, arriving in varying numbers each year. It is a sociable and noticeable bird, adding life to the winter months with its distinctive plumage and active behavior.
Habitat & Behavior
The Common Starling is often found in grassy fields, reed beds, wetlands, and bushes during the winter. It gathers in small, noisy flocks, perching on telegraph wires or fences and feeding on the ground. Unlike many other ground-feeding birds, it walks instead of hopping, giving it a unique movement. Its diet is varied, including insects, worms, berries, and seeds, showing its ability to adapt to different environments.
Appearance & Physical Characteristics
Winter Plumage:
Dark body covered with white specks from the white tips of its feathers.
A black, sharp, conical bill during winter.
Summer Plumage:
Iridescent dark feathers with a metallic sheen of greens, purples, and reds, without the white specks seen in winter.
Its shimmering colors create a kaleidoscope effect in sunlight, making it stunning to observe.
Size and Comparison
The Common Starling is medium-sized, similar to other small flocking birds, but its speckled winter plumage and metallic summer colors set it apart. Its walking movement and noisy, social behavior also help in identifying it.
Seasonal Presence
The Common Starling is seen in Qatar primarily during the winter months (November to March), with peak activity in the colder months.
