starling
noun
star·ling ˈstär-liŋ 
: any of a family (Sturnidae, especially genus Sturnus) of usually dark gregarious oscine birds
especially : a dark brown or in summer glossy greenish-black European bird (S. vulgaris) naturalized nearly worldwide and often considered a pest
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web More than a century later, the European starling is one of the most plentiful bird species in North America. 
New York Times, 11 Apr. 2022 To test this hypothesis, the scientists monitored the 94 nest boxes at their field site in southern Spain at the beginning of the starling breeding season in March 2019. Sam Zlotnik, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Aug. 2022 During the last avian flu outbreak in 2014 and 2015, only one chickadee and one European starling tested positive. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2022 In a spot overlooking a meadow in upstate New York, Thomas Phifer and his wife, Jean, have set up house in a handful of black cabins as tightly shingled as the wing feathers of a starling. Scott Frances, WSJ, 23 Apr. 2022 The European or common starling, like many birds, forms groups called flocks when foraging for food or migrating. Tom Langen, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2022 When a starling swooped in to investigate some seeds on a log, Daisy swatted at the TV, growling in frustration. Megan Reynolds, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2021 The European starling or common starlings are not native to North America. John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Oct. 2021 For its part, the starling also functions as a visual pun, a play on the name of the Norfolk village of East Harling. Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2021 See More
New York Times, 11 Apr. 2022 To test this hypothesis, the scientists monitored the 94 nest boxes at their field site in southern Spain at the beginning of the starling breeding season in March 2019. Sam Zlotnik, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Aug. 2022 During the last avian flu outbreak in 2014 and 2015, only one chickadee and one European starling tested positive. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2022 In a spot overlooking a meadow in upstate New York, Thomas Phifer and his wife, Jean, have set up house in a handful of black cabins as tightly shingled as the wing feathers of a starling. Scott Frances, WSJ, 23 Apr. 2022 The European or common starling, like many birds, forms groups called flocks when foraging for food or migrating. Tom Langen, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2022 When a starling swooped in to investigate some seeds on a log, Daisy swatted at the TV, growling in frustration. Megan Reynolds, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2021 The European starling or common starlings are not native to North America. John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Oct. 2021 For its part, the starling also functions as a visual pun, a play on the name of the Norfolk village of East Harling. Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English stærlinc, from stær starling + -ling, -linc -ling; akin to Old High German stara starling, Latin sturnus
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
starling
noun
star·ling ˈstär-liŋ
: a dark brown or greenish black European bird that is now common in the United States
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