Podcasts about european starlings

Starlings were introduced to North America by European settlers who missed wildlife that reminded them of home. Today, European starlings cause more than a $1 Billion  in property damage in the US annually, spread zoonotic disease, and create quite a mess in North America and throughout the world. On this episode, Drew and Joe discuss damage caused by European Starlings in North America,  and control options available to reduce or mitigate the problems associated with this invasive species. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Program at Kansas State university. Find out more about the program at http://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

Starlings were introduced to North America by European settlers who missed wildlife that reminded them of home. Today, European starlings cause more than a $1 Billion  in property damage in the US annually, spread zoonotic disease, and create quite a mess in North America and throughout the world. On this episode, Drew and Joe discuss damage caused by European Starlings in North America,  and control options available to reduce or mitigate the problems associated with this invasive species. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Program at Kansas State university. Find out more about the program at http://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

Invasive European Starlings are one of the most common birds in North American cities. Recent genetic research into European Starlings shows that populations in North America may have become better adapted to thrive in arid environments and colder temperatures compared to the milder climate of their home range in Europe. Evolution is an ongoing process, and sometimes the best examples can be found in birds that live right alongside us in cities.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. 

This week we talk to Louise Bodt about the European Starlings. Louise Bodt is a PhD candidate at the University of Chicago and the Field Museum using introduced birds to study rapid evolutionary change. Prior to joining the Field Museum birds lab, she worked as a science educator in NYC where she got her MS in biology investigating genetics of invasive European starlings. We also kick off our Round Robin Tournament and vote on our first round. It's a lot of fun and we were laughing the whole time. We want our listeners to vote as well, we'll post info on our Instagram. Enjoy!Please follow our instagram @birds_of_a_feather_podcast Please send us your questions for us to answer as well! You can send them to podcast.birdsofafeather@gmail.com

In the 1890s, a group of Shakespeare enthusiasts released 100 European starlings in New York City's Central Park so that all the birds in Shakespeare's works could be observed there. The rest, as they say, is history. By the 1920s they had spread west to Michigan and Wisconsin. The first documented starling in North Dakota came on March 30, 1938 near Upham, ND.

Buckle up! We are heading down to the fields of Clemson, South Carolina!   I got an email from 3 Booker Rumble D. back in February which said “Neil, I have a guest suggestion for you. J Drew Lanham is a 2022 MacArthur fellow and an American ornithologist. I loved his book and would love to hear you interview him (maybe while you guys go birding?)” Intrigued, I looked him up and discovered I … sort of already knew him? I had read and loved his wonderfully thoughtful and nuanced essay last year called "What Do We Do About John James Audubon?" and his viral YouTube clip called "Rules for the Black Birdwatcher". (“You're gonna need at least two pieces of ID. And never wear a hoodie. Ever.”)   So I bought Drew's memoir 'The Home Place' and found it completely entrancing. His writing is poetry — vivid, transportive, meditative. After that I reached out to Drew and we set a time to make the 10-hour haul down to Clemson farm country, wake up at the crack of dawn, and then get picked up by Drew in his Dodge Ram to spend a morning together — birdwatching.   J. Drew Lanham is a naturalist, birdwatcher, hunter-conservationist, MacArthur 'Genius' Grant-winning distinguished professor. He is a meditative, philosophical, nature- and wild-loving soul who has deeply considered our long relationship with the natural world and is never afraid to confront harsh truths. “European Starlings are a dark-plumaged being brought over the Atlantic for the services of others,” Drew says at one point. “Hmmm, where have I heard that before?”   You'll be riding in the middle seat of the truck, getting out with us between fence posts and grassy meadows, hearing Blue Grosbeaks, Eastern Meadowlarks, and Red-Shouldered Hawks, and listening to Drew's endlessly wise observations about everything from South Carolina's slavery past, why there's blood in tofu, what your birdwatching ‘starter kit' should look like, how to observe a land ethic, how we might behave differently if Chicken Nuggets blinked at us, formative books (of course!), and much, much more. “You can't see everything at once,” Drew reminds us. “So learn to see the everything in one.”   With birds serving as a metaphor for everything in life I think you'll love this slow, soul-fueling, wisdom-stuffed conversation with Professor J. Drew Lanham. I left his truck that morning thinking “I want to be more like Drew.” I think you'll feel the same way.   Let's flip the page into Chapter 131 now…   Listen at https://www.3books.co/chapters/131 --- Leave us a voicemail. Your message may be included in a future chapter: 1-833-READ-A-LOT.   Sign up to receive podcast updates here: https://www.3books.co/3mail  3 Books is a completely insane and totally epic 15-year-long quest to uncover and discuss the 1000 most formative books in the world. Each chapter discusses the 3 most formative books of one of the world's most inspiring people. Sample guests include: Brené Brown, David Sedaris, Malcolm Gladwell, Angie Thomas, Cheryl Strayed, Rich Roll, Soyoung the Variety Store Owner, Derek the Hype Man, Kevin the Bookseller, Vishwas the Uber Driver, Roxane Gay, David Mitchell, Vivek Murthy, Mark Manson, Seth Godin, Judy Blume and Quentin Tarantino. 3 Books is published on the lunar calendar with each of the 333 chapters dropped on the exact minute of every single full moon all the way up to April 26, 2040. 3 Books is an Apple "Best Of" award-winning show and is 100% non-profit with no ads, no sponsors, no commercials, and no interruptions. 3 Books has 3 clubs including the End of the Podcast Club, the Cover to Cover Club, and the Secret Club, which operates entirely through the mail and is only accessible by calling 1-833-READ-A-LOT. Each chapter is hosted by Neil Pasricha, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Awesome, The Happiness Equation, Two-Minute Mornings, etc. For more info check out: https://www.3books.co

Jamie Loftus and Celeste Voce fly on in as we discuss skeletons, the embarrassing reason America has European Starlings, whether or not we like ants, and rage against the species of the live action Scuttle before wrapping with a game of "Ally or Mallard!" Bird List: Anna's Hummingbird Black Phoebe Red-tailed hawk Cassin's Kingbird Northern Flicker Acorn Woodpecker House Finch Canada Goose White or Red-breasted Nuthatch Dark-eyed Junco --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/birder-barely-knowher/support

Photographer Xavi Bou creates incredible images of birds and their movements by combining his love of photography and technology with his love for birds and nature — as seen in his book, Ornithographies. He's especially drawn to European Starlings and their movements as a flock, called a murmuration. The starlings fly in a tight, synchronized group, sometimes to avoid a predator.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Summary: Another way to attract birds to your backyard is to provide nesting possibilities. Join Kiersten and Cheryl as they talk about what kinds of nest boxes you can provide for your backyard birds.   For our hearing-impaired listeners, a transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean.   Show Notes: Birdhouse Features: Features of a Good Birdhouse: https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/features-of-a-good-birdhouse Find the birds near you and the best house for them: Right Bird, Right House:  https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/right-bird-right-house/ Nest Box designs by species: https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses Troubleshooting birdhouses for landlords: https://nestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/nest_box_troubleshooting_20110126_final.pdf Winter Roost Boxes: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/will-birds-use-nest-boxes-to-roost-in-for-warmth-during-the-winter/   Transcript  Kiersten: Intro: We started The Feathered Desert to inform listeners in the southwest about how to feed wild birds successfully and responsibly. We wanted our listeners to know what kind of food to feed to attract the kinds of birds you wanted to see in your backyard. It occurred to me the other day that Cheryl and I have yet to talk about the other way to attract birds to the backyard and that is using nest boxes. So, today's episode is all about the nest box.   Cheryl: Just like bird feeding, putting up birdhouses in your yard has evolved over the years to incorporate seasonal bird behavior and new scientific discoveries. To truly give the birds outside the best chance at surviving our constantly changing world, there are new guidelines for putting up birdhouses. It's not a one size fits all device any more. You don't just put up something that looks great to you and has a hole with a perch under it and see what happens. By observing bird behavior in the wild we've determined the best ways to offer birds a safe and secure home for raising young. Following these guidelines is the best way for you to attract even more birds to your yard and enjoy them for generations to come.   Kiersten: First of all, let's start off with features of a good birdhouse. These features are specific to birdhouses used for nesting, also referred to as nest boxes. There are a few important features for usable nest boxes and they apply to a box you make yourself or one that you purchase. First make sure the wood is untreated and unpainted. The best woods to use are cedar, pine, cypress, or for larger boxes, non-pressure treated CDX exterior grade plywood. Second, use galvanized screws for construction. These hold up better than nails and are easier to remove when repairs are needed. Third, make sure the roof is sloped and hangs over the main body of the house by 2-4 inches over the opening and 2 inches along the sides. This will help keep out rain even when it gets heavy and the wind is whipping wildly and will also help defend against predators. Adding ¼” cuts under all three edges of the roof will help funnel water away from the house, like rain gutters on our own houses. Fourth, a recessed floor helps keep the nest dry and prolongs the life of the box. Drainage holes on the floor are important, just in case water gets in. You can cut away the corners of the floor if you're making it yourself or drill 4 holes approximately 3/8” to ½” in diameter on the floor of a premade box. Sixth, to regulate the temperature the walls should be at least ¾” thick. We also want ventilation holes in both side walls, this is especially important in the heat of the southwest. There should be two holes at the top of each wall with 5/8” diameter.   Cheryl: Seventh, predator prevention. Predators are something that birds have to deal with naturally, but remember we are offering them a house that they are not making themselves. When they make their own nest, they disguise it from the predators such as snakes, raccoons, chipmunks, and outdoor domestic cats. The box that we're offering can stick out like a sore thumb so we need to take a few precautions. First, no perches under the opening! The birds don't need them and it's like a welcome mat for predators. Add baffles to the structure where you've mounted the nest box. Using collar baffles or stovepipe baffles work great on poles and smaller trees. Noel guards, a wire mesh tube attached to the front of the house, is a good way to protect an opening on a box mounted on a tree that is too large for a baffle. Eight, make sure the opening of the box is the correct size for the birds you want to attract. Remember before when I said there are no one size fits all birdhouses? This is where some of our new information comes in to play. Each species of bird desires a specific size hole for their house. It is very important that the hole in the house is the correct size for the species of bird you want to attract. For example, an American Kestrel needs a hole 3” in diameter, a Northern Flicker needs a hole 2 ½” in diameter, and chickadees need a hole 1 1/8” in diameter. Hole size is also important in deterring non-native birds such as European Starlings and House Sparrows. Nine, rough up the interior wall beneath the opening. Rough walls help the chicks get out when it's time to fledge. You can use course sandpaper or cut long horizontal grooves into the wood below the opening. Tenth, make sure the back is slightly extended above and below the box to give you room to easily mount it on your pole or tree. Eleventh, last but not least you want one side to be hinged so it can be opened after nesting season for easy cleaning access. Now, we know this is a lot to remember but we'll share a link in our show notes so you can look up this list later.   Kiersten: That's a perfect segue way into cleaning! This is also new and different from when we used to put up those cutesy birdhouses many moons ago. Do you need to clean your nest box out in between seasons? Yes! It's very important to clean out old nesting material every year. That why we're making one of the walls hinged. Removing old nesting material makes sure bacteria and detrimental insects are not passed from one family to the next. Typically, just opening the side panel and removing any plant matter that you find inside is enough, but if you had some especially dirty tenants, using a little warm water and plant-based soap (something like Simple Green or Seventh Generation) to remove poop is a good idea. Clean out your nest box after the last fledgling has left and you don't see any activity around the box for about ten days. When cleaning remember to protect yourself, as well. Use a dust mask and gloves to prevent any zoonotic disease transfer.     Cheryl: Speaking of seasonal activities, when should I put out my nest box? In the southwest have your nest box mounted and ready for visitors by mid-February. This is typically when our year-round residents begin looking for nesting sites and when our part-time residents are migrating in.             You can leave your nest box up year-round once you've found the perfect spot. To prevent unwanted guests such as European Starlings, bees, wasps, or squirrels from taking up residence in the off season you can close up your house. Plug up the opening and cover the ventilation holes like you might do for a cabin you only use in the spring or summer. To prevent honey bees or wasps from colonizing the nest box spray some non-stick cooking spray on the inside of the top of the box. This makes it too slippery for the insects to climb on. When it comes time for nesting season again, open everything up and give it a quick spring cleaning.   Kiersten: Where should I put my nest box?             This all depends on what bird species your box is made for. Every species has a preferred habitat. To help you decide which species you may want to attract go to nestwatch.org (I'll put the link in our show notes) and they have an interactive page called Right Bird, Right House. This is so cool! You put in what region you live in and what habitat surrounds your house. I put in the Southwest and the desert and it showed me which birds are in my area, where to attach my house, and what kind of house to build or buy. It tells you everything you need to know such as when they nest, how high the box should be, which direction it should be facing, and if they are in decline in your area. Some of the birds they show for the desert southwest are the barn owl, the Bewick's wren, brown-crested flycatcher, the elf owl, and the Say's Phoebe. If you live in the White Mountains or summer in a cabin you might put up a house for the black-crested titmouse, the bridled titmouse, the mountain bluebird, or the pygmy nuthatch.             Now a note of caution in the Phoenix Valley, in the severe heat that we get here you need to be extra careful with where you put up a nest box. It should be in an area that is shaded almost all day. If you don't have any area like that or you can't put up a device to add shade, you may not want to place a nest box in your yard.   Cheryl: If you put up a nest box but no one seems to be moving in, be patient. It can take up to a year for a nest box to be noticed and used. If you see some interested parties that just aren't buying, maybe you've put it in the wrong place or maybe mounted it too high or too low. There could be other things wrong that we don't see but the birds do. Nest Watch from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a trouble-shooting guide for nest box landlords that you can access online. And we'll post that link in our show notes.   Kiersten: One last thing about nest boxes that I didn't even think about until I did the research for this episode. The question came up as to whether birds would use a nest box to roost in the winter? I'd never even thought about that, but as we just discussed we should be closing them up outside of breeding season.  So… you can actually have a roosting box for your overwintering birds! What's the difference between a nest box and a roosting box? The design of each box is vastly different. A well-designed roost box prevents the birds' body heat from escaping, so it will have fewer ventilation holes than a nest box. The entrance hole will be near the bottom of the box to prevent the rising warm air from escaping which is opposite of the nesting box. Inside the roosting box there will be several perches to allow multiple birds to roost as opposed to an open area in a nest box where a nest can be made. Staggering the perching will allow for everyone to have their own spot but still be close enough to snuggle for warmth. Roughing up the sides is a great way to encourage clinging birds such as woodpeckers or creepers to use the box. Roosting boxes are usually larger than a single-family nest box to accommodate species that huddle in the winter. Hinging the top panel allows for easy cleaning after the winter season. This could be a great option for our Phoenix Valley residents who can't use a nest box because their yards are short on shade. These are not as readily available to purchase already made, but we'll post a few links that have blueprints for making your own.   Cheryl: Just like feeding birds, placing nest and roost boxes in your yard should only be done if you are willing to take the time to do it right. You must have the time and motivation to use the correct products, place it in the best place, provide predator prevention, and be willing and able to clean it properly. If this is not something you can do in your own yard, reach out to your local birding groups and see if there are any community nest projects you could help with. Schools and daycares often get students to create nest boxes and mount them near their facilities. Maybe you can offer to help them out.             If you do decide to put up a nest box, consider taking the next step and joining Project Nest Watch at Cornell. This is a citizen scientist program that teachs you how to monitor nest boxes for scientific studies. The data you record watching the birds you're already watching can help further our understanding of bird behavior.   Kiersten: That's Nest Boxes in a nutshell. If you're interested in putting one up in your yard please check out our show notes and use the links we've provided to get more information to help you successfully offer your backyard birds a great place to raise a family. A future note: We will be taking a break in September 2023 but we'll be back with new  full-length episodes in October!

Episode Description:An episode on the European StarlingContact Info:darthmalius421@gmail.comhttps://www.instagram.com/jasonthornton4346https://www.twitter.com/darthmaliusLinks:https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/overviewhttps://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/reports/Wildlife%20Damage%20Management%20Technical%20Series/European-Starlings-WDM-Technical-Series.pdfhttps://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/birds/european-starlings/

Welcome to the 9th episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast! I have been spending a lot of time hiking sections of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) that are near my house. This episode finds us next to an unnamed lake that sits between Guernsey Lake and the Sand Lakes area in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. This is a very cool section of trail because it intersects with the Sand Lakes Quiet Area Pathway and the Kalkaska to Traverse City Trail (K to TC Trail), which combines several trails to create a route between the two towns. The K to TC Trail is also part of the annual Iceman Cometh Mountain Bike Race. I headed out towards the Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground to scope out the campsites and geographic features of the area. I will spend a few nights at this campground soon, but as I was looking at the map on Gaia, I saw a small unnamed lake that had a steep ridge on one side and was on the NCT. This type of terrain always interests me because I can use the ridge to minimize external noise pollution and it also means wildlife will probably use the trail to make their way to the lake. Nightfall was approaching, so I found a place to park that was only 1.5 miles away from the lake. The trail is extremely well-marked and the strategic placement of markers where multiple trail systems intersected is a welcome touch. As I approached the lake, I noticed a stand of phragmites (an invasive species) in the middle of the small lake being circled by thousands of European Starlings (also an invasive species but ubiquitous in Michigan). As I watched the birds circling and roosting in the invasive reeds, I wondered if I could capture them as they departed in the morning. Imagining a loud whooshing sound as thousands of birds awoke and took off to start their day, I placed my recorder next to the lake in some tall grass and pointed the microphone in their direction. Overnight recording using a drop rig is one of my favorite ways to record natural soundscapes. I can place the recorder and leave for several hours or days, which minimizes my presence and minimizes the disruption to local wildlife. I believe I get a truer representation of the natural patterns and cycles of the wildlife than I would if I was sitting next to the recorder the entire time. Of course, this is usually not a viable option on popular trails or congested areas. I am quite pleased with this recording. As I had hoped, the Starlings were active and put on quite a display several times throughout the night. As you will hear on this episode, something approached the reeds and spooked them multiple times. You will also hear what I believe to be a Raccoon approaching the microphone. It sniffs the mic and also starts purring. Yes, purring. I could be wrong, but of all the animals that I know to purr (Bobcats, Black Bear, Domestic Cats, etc), the splashing of the water and the plop of little feet makes me think it is a Raccoon. Let me know your thoughts! Support the show

On this episode of the Wildlife Command Center Podcast Chris speaks on one of the most prevalent invasive avian species in North America, the European Starling!Thank you for listening, please follow us on Facebook and instagram @wildlifecommandcenter      Michael Beran @BareHandsBeran  Chris Starr @LoneStarrTrapperWWC Podcast @wildlifecommandcenterpodGet our new Wildlife Command Center Coffee @ https://buywcc.comCheck out our new reality tv show on Animal Planet and streaming on Discovery+ called "Bare Hands Rescue"!! And for immediate awesomeness our Youtube channel has great content as well

This episode is a collection of bird identification tips shared by my guests over the course of the first 8 episodes along with a few tips from myself. For birders looking to pick up their first field guide, I've included a comparison between the West Coast versions of the National Geographic and Sibley field guides. The new content was recorded at a few different locations and if you listen closely, you'll hear some Grey Gnatcatchers, European Starlings and Red-winged Blackbirds.

European Starlings regularly adorn their twig nests with marigolds, elderberry flowers, yarrow leaves, and even willow bark — all of which are full of aromatic chemicals, which fumigate their nests and are thought to discourage pests and parasites. Scientists discovered that starlings hatched in well-fumigated nests tend to weigh more, and live longer, than those raised without fragrant herbs. Learn more at BIrdNote.org.

Summary:What's that tapping? It's a woodpecker! Join Cheryl and Kiersten as they discuss the fabulous world of woodpeckers. Learn about what makes them so fascinating and how to identify our local Valley residents. Show Notes: Woodpecker facts: https://birdfeederhub.com/facts-about-woodpeckers Woodpecker nest box link (The Northern Flicker Size works for our locals as well): https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/birds/northern-flicker/  Link on how to prevent invasive European Starlings: https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/managing-house-sparrows-and-european-starlings/ Ornithologyby Frank B. Gill was also referenced Woodpecker anticdote about decoy on house: The Joy of Bird Feedingby Jim Carpenter Background bird song:  Naturescapes Backyard Birdswww.naturescapes.com Our email address, please reach out with comments, questions, or suggestions: thefeathereddesert@gmail.com   We are no longer sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited, Mesa but through personal experience we highly recommend their products. 

For years, we thought that when a bird perched on a branch to sleep, a specific tendon in its heel kept its feet locked on tightly. Another hypothesis claimed that it's the internal structure of the birds' toes that keeps them securely perched. But an experiment suggests that the answer could be simpler. European Starlings with toe tendons removed could still perch and sleep through the night. Learn more at BirdNote.org.

European Starlings were present in great numbers in ancient Rome. They swarmed in massive flocks or murmurations — thousands of individuals cascading and folding in awe-inspiring geometric patterns in the sky. Roman augurs, or diviners, scrutinized these patterns for signs of how the gods were

Bill has a very hard time dealing with the common starling. Bob does his best to bring up some interesting facts about the starling. Join us to see if Bill changes his mind about a bird that many people love to hate. Our sources for this episode include: The Invasive Species We Can Blame On Shakespeare - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-invasive-species-we-can-blame-on-shakespeare-95506437/ Even if we don’t love starlings, we should learn to live with them - https://ideas.ted.com/even-if-we-dont-love-starlings-we-should-learn-to-live-with-them/ Fun Facts about European Starlings - http://lansingwbu.blogspot.com/2011/03/fun-facts-about-european-starlings.html Why We Should all Love and Help the Humble Starling - https://www.birdfood.co.uk/help-starling

Walking from Ponte d'Arbia to San Querico, Jeff and Nathalie tell the same story twice with a slightly different twist the second time. The first time was not recorded. Back in Paris, they call up Justin Stewart to learn more about European Starlings and unintended consequences.

In this very special episode of Just The Tip, Amy and Paul discuss things that annoy them. Direct MP3 Download SHOW NOTES As usual, this episode features the musical stylings of friend-of-the-show Theme Song Todd. Pulis are a real thing, even if they don’t look like it: Photograph via Wikipedia. Goddamned annoying European Starlings. Goddamned […]

Vernal pools, the Pleiades, European Starlings. Non-native urban birds.