Common starling (Sturnidae)

Crops affected: Starlings cause extensive damage to a wide range of fruit and berry crops. Primary targets include vineyards, sweet cherry and sour cherry orchards, as well as berry plantations such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Their ability to identify high-sugar content crops makes them particularly destructive in commercial fruit production.

Biology and lifecycle: Starlings are highly social birds that congregate in massive flocks after the breeding season. Their lifecycle involves nomadic movements across agricultural landscapes in search of food. This intense social behavior leads to coordinated raids on orchards, where large flocks can strip a site of its fruit within a very short timeframe.

Nature of damage and economic impact: The damage is primarily physical, involving the consumption of berries and the mutilation of larger fruits. Starlings puncture the skin of fruits, which not only removes sellable product but also creates entry points for secondary pathogens like fungi and bacteria. This can lead to rapid post-harvest decay and significant losses for growers.

Control measures: Management of starling damage must be balanced, focusing on deterrence rather than lethal control, given their ecological role in pest suppression during the breeding season. Effective techniques include:

• Installation of bird-exclusion netting over fruit trees and vineyard rows.
• Use of visual deterrents, such as reflective holographic tapes and predator decoys.
• Implementation of bioacoustic devices that emit predator calls or distress signals.
• Application of propane cannons or other acoustic scaring devices to disrupt flock behavior.