That time of year again - Starlings Murmuration
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I love them! Last fall while driving down a country road , a massive flock of starlings were gathered in the fields on either side of the road. As I drove slowly past them, they rose as one and started their murmuration. It was hypnotic, freaky & downright scary! The world swirled around me and I felt like I was losing contact the the car and the road, almost like vertigo.
According to some bird experts, there is no coordinated movement. It’s simply one bird keying off the one bird next to him.
BTW- Here in the US, starlings are considered an invasive species. They were first brought to this country in 1890 by an organization called the American Acclimatization Society, in New York City. This group included its president who was a big fan of Shakespeare, and decided they would import every bird mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays, about 60 different species.
Needless to say, the starling had no trouble at all in acclimatizing to North America. Even bird clubs say it’s OK to shoot as many as you want with a BB gun.
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I see these in the field opposite of where I live. No dress rehearsal, only performance!
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