(sturnus vulgaris)
The Common Starling or Eurasian Starling must be one of the most plentiful and widespread birds on earth. In Scotland it is found everywhere and anywhere. However when you take the time to look at it closely it is a remarkably handsome bird with its multicoloured iridescent plumage. In winter it sometimes forms huge flocks, reportedly up to a million birds in a flock, which swirl in to a roosting area at dusk.
In Glasgow, huge flocks used to descend onto the city centre every winter evening and roost on buildings and railway bridges taking advantage of the warmer conditions in the city. They were considered a pest due to the damage and unsightly mess which they made and steps were taken to deter them. This unfortunately has been so successful that there are now hardly any Starlings to be found in the city centre.