Starling

Starlings look black at a distance but when seen closer they are very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens.  In the winter their plumage is more matte black covered in pale white spots.

Their flight is fast and direct and they walk and run confidently on the ground.

They live up to their latin name often squabbling noisily on the bird table in winter.  They spend a lot of the year in flocks.

Although it is still one of the commonest of garden birds in the UK, its decline has been concerning.