The animal we have chosen for our assignment is the European Starling. The European starling is a stocky black bird, with a short tail, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills. Starlings are usually found in the suburbs, and countryside near human areas. They feed on the ground on lawns and fields, sidewalks, and parking lots. They usually perch on high wires, trees, and buildings.
More than half( about 57%) of the yearly intake of an adult starling consists of animal matter, which includes insects, millipedes, spiders, mollusks, etc. The European Starling is also definitely not a farmer favourite, because they are some of the worst pests of fields and crops. It eats large quantities of the crops and gardens during the growing season, and even in winter, it eats many of the hibernating individuals.Starlings form small groups during nest building. The birds may nest in a hole in a tree, in a hidden area on a building, or in a man made nest box. Building nests and laying eggs starts in mid-April. Four to seven eggs are usually laid. The eggs hatch after 11–13 days and the young leave the nest after 3 weeks.
There were two attempts to introduce starlings to North America but it did not work. Finally, the third time it worked. In 1890, 60 starlings were released in New York City's Central Park. Widespread in much of North America, the introduced European starling is arguably the most successful bird on the continent. This bird is actually very difficult to approach. The European Starling came from Europe. It originated in Norway,
Russia, and Siberia. It migrated into Northern Africa and India in the winter. There were many unsuccessful attempts to introduce this bird into the USA before they were successful.
European Starlings in North America are normally described as loud, obnoxious, destructive birds, who steal and feed on crops and crowd out native bird species. Many of the problems created by starlings are from their abundance. Flocks can number in the thousands, and when a flock of this size settles on a field the damage they do is large and considerable. Starlings are particularly disastrous in their attacks on crops such as grapes, olives, cherries and grains. In new grain fields, starlings pull up the new plants and eat the seeds. Starlings also create problems for livestock and poultry , congregating at feed troughs to eat, and contaminating food and water sources in the process. Starlings are also known to enter buildings to roost and build nests, creating sanitation problems.
In society there has been many solutions in trying to control the Starling population. Making the public aware that European Starlings are found all over the planet is a very good start, so managing their numbers locally will not endanger the species in the least. Next we need to rethink our strategy for dealing with one of the most intelligent, prolific and successful birds on the planet. Buying expense netting for vineyards is by far the wrong way to deal with this pests, when there is a more effective and economical solution to this challenge. Lastly, society must deny European Starlings places to roost or breed inside cities, towns, and farms (like crevices or cavities found in the eves of building, lamp posts and trees) and continue to kill European Starlings in the winter and nesting seasons with traps and firearms. Doing so will in a few years reduce European Starling numbers to more manageable levels. These are the most effective ways of controlling and/or reducing the starling population.
B3.5 Identify various factors related to human activity that have impacted on ecosystems (the introduction of invasive species) and explain how these factors affect the equilibrium in an ecosystem.
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Starlings form small groups during nest building. The birds may nest in a hole in a tree, in a hidden area on a building, or in a man made nest box.
Building nests and laying eggs starts in mid-April. Four to seven eggs are usually laid.
The eggs hatch after 11–13 days and the young leave the nest after 3 weeks.
European Starling
The animal we have chosen for our assignment is the European Starling. The European starling is a stocky black bird, with a short tail, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills. Starlings are usually found in the suburbs, and countryside near human areas. They feed on the ground on lawns and fields, sidewalks, and parking lots. They usually perch on high wires, trees, and buildings.
More than half( about 57%) of the yearly intake of an adult starling consists of animal matter, which includes insects, millipedes, spiders, mollusks, etc. The European Starling is also definitely not a farmer favourite, because they are some of the worst pests of fields and crops. It eats large quantities of the crops and gardens during the growing season, and even in winter, it eats many of the hibernating individuals.Starlings form small groups during nest building. The birds may nest in a hole in a tree, in a hidden area on a building, or in a man made nest box. Building nests and laying eggs starts in mid-April. Four to seven eggs are usually laid. The eggs hatch after 11–13 days and the young leave the nest after 3 weeks.
There were two attempts to introduce starlings to North America but it did not work. Finally, the third time it worked. In 1890, 60 starlings were released in New York City's Central Park. Widespread in much of North America, the introduced European starling is arguably the most successful bird on the continent. This bird is actually very difficult to approach. The European Starling came from Europe. It originated in Norway,
Russia, and Siberia. It migrated into Northern Africa and India in the winter. There were many unsuccessful attempts to introduce this bird into the USA before they were successful.
European Starlings in North America are normally described as loud, obnoxious, destructive birds, who steal and feed on crops and crowd out native bird species. Many of the problems created by starlings are from their abundance. Flocks can number in the thousands, and when a flock of this size settles on a field the damage they do is large and considerable. Starlings are particularly disastrous in their attacks on crops such as grapes, olives, cherries and grains. In new grain fields, starlings pull up the new plants and eat the seeds. Starlings also create problems for livestock and poultry , congregating at feed troughs to eat, and contaminating food and water sources in the process. Starlings are also known to enter buildings to roost and build nests, creating sanitation problems.
In society there has been many solutions in trying to control the Starling population. Making the public aware that European Starlings are found all over the planet is a very good start, so managing their numbers locally will not endanger the species in the least. Next we need to rethink our strategy for dealing with one of the most intelligent, prolific and successful birds on the planet. Buying expense netting for vineyards is by far the wrong way to deal with this pests, when there is a more effective and economical solution to this challenge. Lastly, society must deny European Starlings places to roost or breed inside cities, towns, and farms (like crevices or cavities found in the eves of building, lamp posts and trees) and continue to kill European Starlings in the winter and nesting seasons with traps and firearms. Doing so will in a few years reduce European Starling numbers to more manageable levels. These are the most effective ways of controlling and/or reducing the starling population.
Bibliography:
http://alienspecies.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/eng/species/european-starling
http://www.orkincanada.ca/pests/birds/european-starling
B3.5 Identify various factors related to human activity that have impacted on ecosystems (the introduction of invasive species) and explain how these factors affect the equilibrium in an ecosystem.
Answers to questions on topic.
Choses relevant and interesting pictures, videos, and links.
Spelling, grammar, neatness and organization.
Apply functions and capabilities of Wiki to page.
Starlings form small groups during nest building. The birds may nest in a
hole in a tree, in a hidden area on a building, or in a man made nest box.
Building nests and laying eggs starts in mid-April. Four to seven eggs are usually laid.
The eggs hatch after 11–13 days and the young leave the nest after 3 weeks.