What they like

Short grass full of life. Meadows, sports fields, orchards, farmyards, parks. And especially: places where they can easily poke his beak into the soil. Hang up a starling nest box (entrance 45 mm), preferably on a tree or wall with a clear flight path. Leave some messy corners: rough edges, compost, old logs. That’s where the buffet is.

Ecological importance

During the breeding season they feeds on insects, larvae and earthworms. He clears away leatherjackets and chafer grubs — exactly the critters that make life hard for grass and crops. Later they switches to berries and fruit. Young starlings, in turn, are prey for the sparrowhawk and goshawk: quick energy in the food chain.

When in the Netherlands

All year round. In autumn and winter extra starlings arrive from North- and Eastern Europe. Then you get those famous flocks above reedbeds and fields.

Status

Common, but for years in strong decline as a breeding bird in the Netherlands. More herb-rich grasslands, flower-rich margins and nesting sites help directly.