Starling Sturnus vulgaris populations have declined throughout Europe over the last two decades. The Starling is commonest in urban and farmland habitats, though density in the latter is much lower. Soil and ground-dwelling invertebrates, particularly leatherjackets (tipulid larvae) and earthworms, are the main prey of Starlings. The use of insecticides on grassland is targeted partly at tipulids, which may have reduced foraging opportunities for Starlings.
Starling Sturnus vulgaris populations have declined throughout Europe over the last two decades. The Starling is commonest in urban and farmland habitats, though density in the latter is much lower. Soil and ground-dwelling invertebrates, particularly leatherjackets (tipulid larvae) and earthworms, are the main prey of Starlings. The use of insecticides on grassland is targeted partly at tipulids, which may have reduced foraging opportunities for Starlings.
Sources:
Robinson RA et al. (2002) BTO Research Report No. 290
http://www.bto.org/research/archive/chapter_2.pdf
Robinson RA et al. (2006) Acta Zoologica Sinica 52: 550-553
ftp://80.57.161.240/artikelen/S/Spreeuw9.pdf
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