Starlings have a short tail, a pointed head, and triangular wings. They look black from a distance but when seen closer they are very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens. Their flight is fast and direct and they walk and run confidently on the ground. They are gregarious and noisy birds, spending a lot of the year in flocks. Adult length is 21.5 cm, with a wingspan of 37-42 cm. Adult weight is 60-90g.

The live in open woodland and woodland edges, hedgerows, parks and gardens and breed wherever there are suitable trees with nest holes. The winter is spent in a wide range of habitats, from arable fields to pasture, in parks and gardens, in cities and towns, and on coast. Large feeding flocks collect into even larger roosting flocks in plantations and reedbeds, and on cliffs and buildings. Starlings can be seen all year round and large numbers arrive from abroad to winter here.

The starling eats insects and fruits and will feed from a bird table.

Their song is a mixture of rattles, trills, whistles and warbles. Their alarm call is a short 'chip' sound.

Starlings lay 3-8 eggs which hatch in 11-15 days. The young fledge at 21 days.

The starling's maximum lifespan is 22 years.