Starling? Confirmation please

[Richard]

Hi

I took this photo today and pretty sure it's a Starling, haven't seen one round here for years.

But they're usually very black and have more spots.

Is this a Starling please, maybe a young one? it was full size though.

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In some ways I hope it isn't.....only for the sake of the other birds !!

Richard

[Mo]

Young birds are often full size just before the final moult. And you can see the speckles coming .
Yes, I guess it is.

[Richard]

I think so too Mo, thanks.

It was the dark beak which threw me but having just read up a more detailed web site, it appears they look more a proper Starling in Autumn.

There were about 20 or so all together, so definitely a Starling characteristic.

They're on the RSPB Red List, numbers diminishing rapidly. Like so many other birds and creatures.

I got nervous of the Bird and Butterfly pages, don't want to do something and get all the "That's not a xxxxxxx, it's a xxxxxxx"

Richard