Starlings are common in New Zealand and they are far from 'adorable'. They were introduced, I think, from Britain and while farmers find them to be useful in the control of grass grub - generally they are perceived as pests.
Mostly, they are messy and persistent nest-builders, finding all sorts of places to nest - even blocking chimneys. They carry nesting material and drop it all over the place, and even if you remove it, they will replace it.
Then they crap all over the place. Tractors in sheds are a common target but they make a mess where there is room for them to roost.
Gregarious when not nesting, they mob together in trees to roost making a gaggling noise that becomes tiresome if it is near your house.
Then they crap all over the place. Tractors in sheds are a common target but they make a mess where there is room for them to roost.
Gregarious when not nesting, they mob together in trees to roost making a gaggling noise that becomes tiresome if it is near your house.
But I want to tell about a pair of Starlings that built a nest in my tractor. Under the cowling, on top of the radiator. Now I don't use the tractor for major agricultural work, just as a work bench around the nursery. But I move it around a lot.
Well the eggs hatched and I was tempted to toss the small, wiggling, open, yellow-edged mouths out. But then I thought, ' you have to admire this tenacity'. The parents follow the tractor around and feed their infants as I work. They are cautious of me of course and wait their chance to slip under the cowling.
Makes you think though - nature will always win in the end!
