Common Starling vs Mute Swan
Sturnus vulgaris compared with Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Starling | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sturnus vulgaris | Cygnus olor |
| Order | Passeriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 21.5 cm (8.5 in) | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 37.0 cm (14.6 in) | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Weight | 78.0 g (2.75 oz) | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous — insects and larvae (especially leatherjackets), earthworms, fruit, and seeds. Probes soil with open … | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Clutch Size | 4-7 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Common Starling
Open countryside, farmland, parks, and urban areas. Forms enormous communal roosts in winter, especially in urban environments.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Starling
A complex mimic: rattles, whistles, clicks, and squeaks mixed with imitations of other birds. Song is a continuous medley. Also gives harsh 'scheer' alarm and chattering.
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Starling
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Common Starling
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Starling
Glossy black plumage with iridescent purple and green sheen in breeding season. Winter plumage shows white spotting. Short tail and pointed wings in flight.
Long, pointed bill — yellow in breeding season, dark in winter
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
About These Birds
Common Starling
The common starling is famous for its murmurations — vast swirling flocks of thousands that create mesmerizing patterns in winter skies. An accomplished mimic, it can imitate other birds, car alarms, and phone ringtones. Introduced to North America by a group intent on establishing every bird mentioned by Shakespeare.
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.