Talking European starling

I did not know that Starlings could be taught to speak. I thought only birds in the Parrot and Crow(Corvid) family could learn to speak.

Mynah birds can talk too r1

What's disturbing about it op? You've never heard a bird talk? Are you not from this planet?

I would play audio clips of Talky Tina to my starlings or my mynah birds.

I love this bird

For starters, r3, I didn't know starlings could mimic so well. It's disconcerting.

I like that video very interesting how they socialized the bird.

Starlings and mynah birds are in the same family. Some Shakespearean followers decided in the 1800’s to bring birds from England that were in Shakespeare’s writings to the USA.. They let them go in Central Park. The only birds that established themselves were...English sparrows and Starlings. Both compete with our native birds but Starlings are by far the worst. There are millions and millions of them in the USA. Too many now to cull, but the govt. and farmers try to keep their numbers down.

Yeah, it's weird to me because I like birds in general, and maybe I'd like a European starling if I were in Europe, but I really hate seeing them everywhere in Massachusetts. I try to remember it's not their fault they were introduced.

I like starlings but I live in Europe. Their numbers are really dwindling here, which is a shame. It's an odd twist of fate then that they're thriving in North America where they don't belong.

Their mating plumage is beautiful. I had no idea they could learn to say human words!

r10 I'll gladly send you a few million from the US!

I've always wondered what would have happened if common species from the US (blue jays, American robins, cardinals) had been introduced to Europe. Maybe they were and didn't flourish. I don't know my transatlantic bird history.

They can mimic humans but it's not like they can really say anything profound.

W&W, r13.

Introduced species wreak havoc in both directions. Raccoon are native to North America. They were introduced to Europe as residents in German zoos and fur farms, but apparently in the bombings in WWII many escaped. Now they have spread over most of the continent. The Germans call them Waschbaeren. (Wash bears).

[quote] The Germans call them Waschbaeren. (Wash bears).

That's a cute name for a hideous animal.

According to Wikipedia, American robins were unsuccessfully introduced to Great Britain

Talking Raven

I've always wanted to capture and raise a pet starling, but I heard they can be curious about your eyes and peck at them without warning.

Conversation with a Mynah bird

R8, as part of the Victorian nature craze they introduced squirrels into city parks. Fucking bastards.

The starling is growing on me

Remember standing on the terrace of Vittoriano in Rome watching flocks of thousands of starlings whirling thru a blazing sunset. Unforgettable.

Precious little citizen, OP

A murmuration of starlings. Great expression for a beautiful sight.

Yes, R25. You've reminded me of one of my favorite videos. Make sure to watch it all the way through.