Rosy Starling

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Rosy Starling in the UK

A scarce migrant from eastern Europe and central Asia, also called Rose-coloured Starling. It is seen every year, but numbers vary hugely. In some summers flocks push far west of the breeding range and Britain gets an influx. A record 313 were logged in 2021. Adults arrive from late May, with a peak in June. A separate arrival of pale juveniles follows from late August to November, and a few of those stay through the winter with Starling flocks. It has not bred in Britain. It is too regular to be assessed by the national rarities committee.

Where and when to see a Rosy Starling

It can appear anywhere, which is part of the appeal. June adults often join Starlings on garden lawns, feeders and rooftops, and many are found by householders, not birders. Coastal counties, the Northern Isles, the Hebrides and the south-west get the most. Autumn juveniles favour the Isles of Scilly, west Cornwall and other headlands and islands, feeding with Starlings on short turf, among livestock and on berries. Check every Starling flock from late May. In an influx year news spreads fast online.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Anywhere (summer vagrant).
Diet: Insects, fruit.
Field note: Pink-and-black; irruptive from steppes.

How to identify a Rosy Starling

The size and shape of a Starling. The adult is hard to mistake: a pale pink body with a glossy black head, wings and tail, pink legs and a pinkish bill. Males have a shaggy crest on the nape. Spring birds can look dull and smudged until the brown feather tips wear off. Juveniles are the challenge. They are pale sandy grey-buff, much paler than a young Starling, with darker wings, a pale rump, a plain open face and a shorter, yellowish bill.

Call and song

Calls are close to a Starling's but harsher and more rasping. The song is a long jumble of squeaks, chatters and rattles. In a mixed flock the voice will not pick it out, so rely on looks. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Starling: A juvenile Starling is darker mouse-brown all over with a dark bill and dark lores, and lacks the pale rump and yellow bill base of a young Rosy.

Related guide Bird migration in Britain.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Rosy Starling is a Rare tier bird, worth +8 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Alpine SwiftRare · Cliffs
• American WigeonRare · Wetlands (winter vagrant)
• Arctic WarblerRare · Coastal scrub (vagrant)
• Black-throated DiverRare · Highland lochs (summer)
• BluetailRare · Coastal scrub (autumn vagrant)
• Caspian TernRare · Coast (rare vagrant)

Rosy Starling: quick answers

Is the Rosy Starling rare in the UK?

It is scarce and unpredictable. Some years bring a few dozen and influx years bring hundreds. For any one garden or patch it is a rare event, but nationally it is annual.

When is the best time to see Rosy Starling?

The first three weeks of June for pink adults, and September and October for juveniles. Summer adults often stay only a day or two. Autumn and winter birds settle for longer, sometimes for weeks at the same feeders.

What does a Rosy Starling eat?

In summer mainly grasshoppers, locusts and other large insects, which is why it breeds in huge colonies where they swarm. In Britain it takes insects from lawns, plus fruit and berries. Birds visit feeders for fat balls and suet.

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