The bird (Sturnus vulgaris) is one of the most common in the world. It has a body length of 19 to 22 centimetres, a short tail and a long, sharp beak. The body feathers are blackish with a metallic green or purple sheen with white to beige tips. The body appears brightly spotted.
The starling lives on insects and worms, which is why it is one of the beneficial insects in viticulture in spring and summer, but also on fruit, seeds and seedlings. It is therefore one of the most dangerous pest birds in viticulture during the grape ripening period because (unlike thrushes) it can occur in huge flocks, which can cause considerable crop loss due to damage such as browsing by wild animals.
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Roman Horvath MW
Domäne Wachau (Wachau)