Sturnus vulgaris

Starlings are not my favorite birds. They're noisy, they scare away other birds, they dig up tender plantings. They generally behave in a way that makes it obvious why they have the name they do. But in the spring they do this amazing flocking thing, and its just so interesting that I guess I have to write about it.


Hundreds of them started showing up in the trees in our yard and the neighbor's last weekend. The group just seemed to keep growing, until they filled the trees. They would all swoop down and fill the ground under the trees and feeders with a swarming black mass. Then at the slightest noise, they would all take to the air and fly around the neighborhood in this strangely choreographed dance, dipping and turning and catching the light, then almost disappearing as they turned away, only to reappear seconds later. I've never seen a big flock here before.

There are lots of great clips out on the net of starlings flocking. One good one is at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8761390434094738310

There are some simple rules that people have articulated that explain flocking (and also some herd and schooling) behavior. Usually three rules, sometimes four. 1. Avoid hitting or crowding your neighbor. 2. Steer in the same direction your neighbor is heading. 3. Steer toward the average position of your nearest neighbors. and 4. (especially if in the presence of preditors) Stay away from the edge of the group.