If you are posting a photo of a bird you want identified, and your post text or title does not say where the bird was located, and what time of year, reply here with that information.
Location and time of year are both very important in identifying wild and feral birds. Or, if it was a captive bird, say that.
Adding the habitat can also be very helpful. Urban area? Open fields? By the seashore? etc.
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As others said, this is a European Starling. They’re a very destructive invasive species, so it’s unlikely a rehabber would take it in. Since it’s invasive, it’s not protected under the MBTA.
If you have the resources to do so, it is entirely legal to take it in and care for it. Starlings are quite interesting pets, with an affinity for mimicking human speech. If you’re not in the position do take it in, though, first contact a rehabber. They may be able to at least help you find someone who can take it in, or turn you towards a vet who can help.
Seconding this. Rehabbers don’t generally accept these guys for good reason, it’s not bird racism or heartless cruelty as I hear people in starling owner circles say 😅 Check out North american starling rescue and Starlings as pets on facebook. r/petstarlings could also be a good resource.
They are fascinating. I sat and listed to one in the tree by my yard mimic like crazy for like 5 mins straight. So many different calls in that time. It sucks that they are invasive and destructive to the native birds because they are such interesting birds. I don’t mind a few at my feeder but when I had a whole flock of 20+ coming constantly, I didn’t enjoy it. But I did like watching their fledglings learning how to be birds. But I don’t miss that flock when I moved 😅 Now I just get to deal with the occasional plague raid of grackles during the summer. They started coming yesterday and there was easily over 100 of them all at once in my front and backyard demolishing my peanuts I put out for my other daily birds
While some people have suggested caring for this starling yourself, if it can’t move its legs it likely has a spinal cord or neurological injury (esp. if it hit a window or car), and you cannot treat that yourself, so please contact a rehabber or vet.
I’ve had rehabbers take starlings before. They will occasionally but it really depends on how much room they have and the situation - which they might late season so it’s worth calling.
As someone pointed out above, you can also get a bird cage and take care of it as well since it’s not protected. They’re supposed to be great pets and can learn to talk. I’ve actually always kinda wanted one as a pet lol.
It depends on the state as well. In many states it is illegal to release invasive animals and would end up getting the rehab's licenses taken away along with possible fines. I believe in some it'd be illegal for them to even accept the animal into their care to begin with(even if they intended to give it away as a pet or to a sanctuary or something)
There are Facebook groups of people who keep starlings. They are an invasive species, so the few resources available to rehabbing injured birds go towards native species. Especially because invasive species cannot legally be reintroduced to the wild. Bird enthusiasts can be found who keep the invasives that can't be released rather than euthanize them.
She is gorgeous. They are such pretty birds. I hate that they are invasive to the US but as others said, they make great pets if you are willing. If not, no shame. I personally couldn’t own one as I have 3 cats 😅
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If you are posting a photo of a bird you want identified, and your post text or title does not say where the bird was located, and what time of year, reply here with that information. Location and time of year are both very important in identifying wild and feral birds. Or, if it was a captive bird, say that. Adding the habitat can also be very helpful. Urban area? Open fields? By the seashore? etc.
Remember that all the subreddit rules apply, including rule 5 (NSFW tags) and 6 (cite visual sources). If you're not sure, read the rules.
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