The European Starling (Sturnus Vulgaris) is officially on the UK Red List of conservation concern. Despite still being a common sight, their UK breeding population has declined by roughly 57%–85% since the 1960s, leading to their classification as a species of "high conservation concern".  BTO.org +2

Key Reasons for Status:

• Rapid Decline: The breeding population dropped by 57% between 1995 and 2023.

• Causes: The decline is linked to changes in farming practices, reduced availability of food (invertebrates), loss of nesting sites in urban areas, and reduced juvenile survival rates.

• Habitat Loss: Intensive agriculture has reduced the grassland habitat they rely on for foraging, according to the RSPB.

• Status: They have been on the UK Red List since 2002. BTO.org +4

Misconception of Abundance

While large, dramatic winter murmurations (flocks) can make starlings seem abundant, the long-term, sharp reduction in their breeding numbers warrants this high-level protection status. They are often still seen in large numbers because of incoming birds from Europe and congregating roosts, masking the severe decline in local, breeding, as noted by the BTO.