Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturnidae. There are over 100 species of starlings found throughout the world, though the majority are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some well-known species include the European starling, common myna, and superb starling. So are starlings originally from Asia?
Quick Answer
While there are starling species native to Asia, the starling family originated in Africa between 25-20 million years ago before spreading across Europe and Asia. However, some of the most widespread and successful starling species today like the European starling are native to Europe and Asia.
Where do starlings come from originally?
The starling family Sturnidae is believed to have originated in Africa based on fossil evidence. The oldest starling fossils have been found in South Africa and are estimated to be 25-20 million years old from the Early Miocene epoch. This indicates starlings first evolved in Africa before dispersing across Europe and Asia.
Africa remains the center of starling diversity today, with over 65 species native to the continent. However, starlings proved to be highly successful at colonizing new habitats. Starting around 5 million years ago in the Pliocene, starlings began migrating northwards into Europe and Asia. Here they diversified into many new species that adapted to the temperate climates.
Europe and Asia
There are now around 35 species of starling native to Europe and Asia. Some of the most widespread and recognizable include:
- European starling – Native across Europe, parts of North Africa, and introduced to North America, Australia. Abundant and successful invasive species.
- Rosy starling – Breeds in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia. Known for colorful spring plumage.
- Common myna – Native to Asia with introduced populations worldwide. One of the world’s most invasive bird species.
- Superb starling – Native to North Africa and southeastern Europe to southwestern Asia. Distinctive iridescent plumage.
- Daurian starling – East Asia around Mongolia, Russia, Korea, and China. Forms large noisy flocks.
These starlings are descendants of the first populations that migrated out of Africa and successfully adapted to new environments in Europe and Asia over millions of years. They represent the majority of starling diversity found outside of Africa today.
Africa
Africa remains the heartland of starling diversity with over 65 species native to the continent including:
- Greater blue-eared starling – Southern and East Africa. Stunning bright blue iridescence.
- Meves’s starling – West Africa. Distinctive long tail streamers.
- Shelley’s starling – East Africa around Ethiopia and Somalia. Uniquely vivid yellow plumage.
- Violet-backed starling – Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa. Named for violet back plumage.
- Wattled starling – Most widespread African starling. Recognizable wattle around eye.
These African starlings represent the ancestral lineages of the family. They display a wide diversity of colorful plumages and behaviors that evolved as they adapted to fill ecological niches across Africa. Modern Asian and European starlings descended from these ancestral African populations.
Which starlings are invasive species?
A few starling species have been spectacularly successful at establishing invasive populations across the world including:
| Species | Native Range | Invasive Range |
|---|---|---|
| European starling | Europe, Western Asia, North Africa | North America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand |
| Common myna | Asia | North America, Australia, Africa, Middle East |
| Common hill myna | South and Southeast Asia | Middle East, Japan |
These starlings are all native to Europe or Asia but have been introduced around the world. Their aggressive behavior and ability to adapt to human habitats have allowed them to thrive. They compete with native birds and are regarded as invasive pests in many regions.
European Starling
The European starling has become one of the world’s most successful invasive species after being introduced to North America, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. It was first brought to New York’s Central Park in the 1890s in an attempt to introduce all birds mentioned by Shakespeare to the New World. Its populations skyrocketed causing agricultural damage and displacing native cavity-nesting birds.
Common Myna
The common myna comes from southern Asia but has established invasive populations in North America, Australia, parts of Africa, and many islands worldwide. It was often intentionally introduced to control insects and became a pest. Highly adaptable, it thrives around human settlements. Aggressive behavior and competition for nesting cavities allow it to displace native birds.
Common Hill Myna
Native to southeast Asia, the common hill myna has become invasive in the Middle East and Japan. Introduced as a caged pet, its loud calls and success around human habitats have aided its spread. It takes nest sites from native species and damages crops. Ongoing control efforts seek to curb its expansion.
Conclusion
In summary, while starlings originated in Africa, today they are found across Europe, Asia, and worldwide. Some Asian and European species have become aggressively invasive when introduced outside their native range. However, the approximately 110 modern starling species still represent an African lineage that colonized the north starting 5 million years ago and successfully adapted to new environments.
