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I have a theory on this. I have to stress there is no basis in fact, it's just an opinion. I have read that they do it to be sociable, or to avoid predators, but that doesn't seem to be the full answer to me. There are many explantions on how they do it, but not why.
Having watched a spectacular display with many thousands of starlings recently, it occurred to me that it could be quite simple.
Starlings create these displays just before roosting in very dense flocks in the evening, before settling in for the night. Their flight is so energetic, that they must expend large amounts of energy, and like humans, expending energy will convert body fat into heat.
If they then roost in tight groups, they will, at least for the first part of the evening, be a few degrees warmer than if they had gone straight to roost. So maybe the answer is very simple: They do it to keep warm, and they're sacrificing body mass for heat.
I think it would be useful to measure the ambient temperature of an empty roosting site, and then re-measure it when it's full of several thousand panting starlings.
.....just a thought.
John
What else can I help you with?
What do starlings have an effect on people?
Starlings are known to have both positive and negative effects on people. Positive effects include controlling pest populations and providing entertainment through aerial displays. Negative effects may include damage to crops, transmission of diseases, and nuisance behavior in urban areas.
What does hummngbirds do when it exciting?
When hummingbirds are excited, they may perform elaborate courtship displays such as aerial dives, dives accompanied by vocalizations, or rapid zigzag flights. These displays are often used to attract a mate or establish territory.
Where can starlings be found today?
Starlings can be found in most states like missouri and texas climates and are easily found in feed lots ps i have starlings everywhere in missouri they are a pest.
What eats Starlings?
Predators of starlings include birds of prey such as hawks, falcons, and owls. Additionally, mammals like raccoons, snakes, and domestic cats also prey on starlings. Overall, starlings have a variety of natural predators that help control their populations.
Do snakes eat starlings?
Yes, there have been documented cases of snakes, particularly larger ones such as pythons, consuming birds like starlings. Snakes are opportunistic feeders and will consume birds if the opportunity arises.
What do starlings have an effect on people?
Starlings are known to have both positive and negative effects on people. Positive effects include controlling pest populations and providing entertainment through aerial displays. Negative effects may include damage to crops, transmission of diseases, and nuisance behavior in urban areas.
Are starlings bats?
No. Starlings are birds.
When was The Starlings created?
The Starlings was created in 1989.
When did The Starlings end?
The Starlings ended in 1994.
What are bad things about starlings?
Starlings are considered invasive species in many regions because they can outcompete native bird species for food and nesting sites. Their large and noisy flocks can create disturbances and have negative impacts on agriculture. Additionally, starlings can carry diseases that can spread to other birds and even to humans.
Where are Starlings found?
Starlings are found in South Africa...
What do starlings represent the bird starlings?
i really dont no u stalker
What is the plural for starlings?
A Murmuration if remember correctly :-)
Where are starlings found today?
Starlings are found today form the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast. Starlings are eight and a half inches long.
Where is the European Starlings native?
European Starlings, as their name implies, are native to Europe.
What is an example sentence for the word starlings?
There are three starlings on the feeder right now!
How were aerial photographs used to create topographic maps?
When photographers take a aerial photo, mapmakers can take the information they see and turn it into a topographic map.
