starling
Myna's gregarious cousin
A starling is a small to medium-sized songbird with iridescent dark plumage, known for gathering in enormous flocks that create shifting aerial patterns called murmurations.
The European starling, introduced to North America in the 1890s, has become one of the continent's most abundant birds—often considered a pest for its aggressive competition with native species and its noisy roosting habits.
Harmful creature or nag
- non-nativeNot indigenous here
- introducedMade formally acquainted
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- competitionStruggle for supremacy
displacement · habitat · Shakespeare · 1890 · agricultural · spread · colonize · abundant
Bird's lightweight covering
- beakHorny avian mouthpart
- wingsLimbs for flight
- nestAnimal-built shelter for young
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
roost · egg · fledgling · perch · songbird · chirp · passerine · ornithology
Fond of companionship
- flockAnimals gathered together
- communalShared by a community
- roostBird's sleeping spot
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
group · colony · nesting · cooperative · clustered · thousands · winter · mass
Animals gathered together
- swarmMass of moving insects
- aerialElevated, or signal-catcher
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
- swirlRotating, curving movement
undulation · formation · synchronized · dusk · twilight · sky · mesmerizing · thousands
Tremulous, wavering light
- sheenSoft surface luster
- glossySmooth and shiny
- metallicResembling ore-based elements
- purpleHue between crimson and azure
green · speckled · plumage · opalescent · gleaming · lustrous · spotted · feathers
pest
Harmful creature or nag
- non-nativeNot indigenous here
- introducedMade formally acquainted
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
competition · displacement · habitat · Shakespeare · 1890 · agricultural · spread · colonize · abundant
feathers
Bird's lightweight covering
plumage · roost · egg · fledgling · perch · songbird · chirp · passerine · ornithology · birdbath
gregarious
Fond of companionship
gathering · group · colony · nesting · cooperative · clustered · thousands · winter · mass · assembly
flock
Animals gathered together
- swarmMass of moving insects
- aerialElevated, or signal-catcher
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
swirl · undulation · formation · synchronized · dusk · twilight · sky · mesmerizing · thousands · wave
shimmer
Tremulous, wavering light
purple · green · speckled · plumage · opalescent · gleaming · lustrous · spotted · feathers · colorful
vocalization
Producing sounds with voice
mimicry · repertoire · whistle · chatter · squawk · learned · sounds · speech · vocal · noise
city
Large populated area
- rooftopBuilding's top exterior surface
- parkPublic leisure grounds
- buildingsConstructed enclosed structures
ledge · eaves · streetlights · sidewalk · scavenger · adaptable · human · nesting · noise · downtown