Growth of starling population a cautionary tale, says N.S. expert | 24CA News

Environmentalists in Nova Scotia have lengthy warned of the hazards invasive species of crops and animals can pose to native ecosystems.

The European starling is a living proof, in line with Kristen Noel, council supervisor on the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council.

The boisterous European starling, a widespread sight throughout Nova Scotia with its darkish iridescent plumage, is — as its title suggests — not native to North America.

Predatory aquatic species just like the chain pickerel and smallmouth bass had been launched as a sport fish within the 1900s and at the moment are widespread within the province, in line with Noel.

Likewise, launched bugs just like the hemlock woolly adelgid and emerald ash borer are threatening native timber.

“The starling is a great example of what can happen when you release species that are non-native to an environment,” Noel mentioned.

The birds are identified to have been launched into the wild someday within the nineteenth century.

Noel mentioned it’s thought that the inhabitants began with 50 breeding pairs launched in New York’s Central Park within the late Eighteen Nineties.

A current research from Duke University suggests the birds could, in truth, have been launched at a number of places, together with Quebec, at varied factors through the nineteenth century.

200 million starlings

Today, it’s estimated there are round 200 million starlings all through North America — starting from Alaska to Mexico.

Much of the starlings’ success thriving of their new surroundings, Noel mentioned, will be attributed to their speedy replica fee.

Starlings produce two nests a 12 months with about 4 to 6 eggs per clutch, which is greater than most native birds, Noel mentioned.

Noel mentioned starlings are generalists on the subject of consuming and eat a wider vary of things than their native counterparts.

A research from Cornell University within the United States suggests starlings can also have genetic benefits that assist them adapt to completely different environments quicker.

Impact

Because of their massive numbers and gregarious nature, Noel mentioned, starlings pose fairly just a few impacts to native biodiversity and agriculture. 

“They’re cavity-nesters and … they’ll take over sites from our native species, such as woodpeckers, flickers, flycatchers or tree swallows,” she mentioned.

“In agricultural areas they can cause serious damage by feeding on the fruit in orchards or vineyards. And they’ve also been known to steal grain or feed from livestock.”

Colleen Barber, a professor of biology at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, has been finding out starlings along with her college students since 2007. She mentioned there is no consensus concerning the affect of starlings.

Barber mentioned she has heard claims that the birds are harmful, however she has additionally seen analysis that they aren’t damaging and are nicely tailored to the ecosystem.

‘Almost naturalized’

Given the century-long head begin starlings have in establishing themselves, Noel mentioned there’s little Nova Scotia can do concerning the fowl that’s now “so established and almost naturalized.”

Noel mentioned the council focuses on early detection of invasive species so it will possibly create a administration plan.

It’s a view echoed by Hope Swinimer, founding father of Hope for Wildlife, a Nova Scotia-based wildlife rehabilitation and training group. 

“It’s here, and when an invasive species first comes to our province, that’s probably the time to tackle the issue,” she mentioned

“If they’ve been here over 100 years maybe now they are so integrated that they’re actually in some aspects doing some good.”

Hope for Wildlife has rehabilitated and launched starlings up to now, as allowed by the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, she mentioned.

She recalled that somebody as soon as dropped off a pet starling that would discuss and it “chatted up a storm.” After they launched the fowl, it remained on the property for a number of years earlier than it disappeared.

“They’re quite amazing animals — they really are,” she mentioned.

‘Amazing birds’

Barber mentioned after finding out the species for round 18 years, she, too, has come to understand what ‘superb birds’ starlings are.

“Both of them care for the eggs and the young,” Barber mentioned. “They’re incredible parents.

“They every have their very own distinct personalities that you simply get to know. We have birds coming again … for 10 years. You get to know them and we see them as people, not as a pest species.”

Barber said after over a century of successful spread, the starling’s success may be coming to an end as their population is in steep decline. 

She said this is likely attributable to pesticides and pollution.

Barber said many people, including some of her own students, feel animosity toward the starling.

She hopes people realize they’re part of the ecosystem and have a role to play.

“The degree of hatred for starlings by some folks simply catches me unexpectedly,” Barber said.

“It’s simply such a slender deal with one fowl species that they see as being launched and … ‘come from away.'”