pygargue à tête blanche vs Common Starling

Haliaeetus leucocephalus comparé à Sturnus vulgaris

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut pygargue à tête blanche Common Starling
Nom scientifique Haliaeetus leucocephalus Sturnus vulgaris
Ordre Accipitriformes Passeriformes
Famille Accipitridae Sturnidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur 79,0 cm (31.1 in) 21,5 cm (8.5 in)
Envergure 203,0 cm (79.9 in) 37,0 cm (14.6 in)
Poids 4300,0 g (151.68 oz) 78,0 g (2.75 oz)
Régime alimentaire Primarily fish, also waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion. Hunts by swooping down to snatch fish … Omnivorous — insects and larvae (especially leatherjackets), earthworms, fruit, and seeds. Probes soil with open …
Taille de la couvée 1-4 4-7
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
pygargue à tête blanche 79,0 cm
Common Starling 21,5 cm
Envergure
pygargue à tête blanche 203,0 cm
Common Starling 37,0 cm
Poids
pygargue à tête blanche 4300,0 g
Common Starling 78,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

pygargue à tête blanche only

Common Starling only

Aucun(e)

pygargue à tête blanche

Large bodies of open water including coasts, rivers, and lakes with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting.

Common Starling

Open countryside, farmland, parks, and urban areas. Forms enormous communal roosts in winter, especially in urban environments.

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Song & Call Comparison

pygargue à tête blanche

Chant

High-pitched, chattering whistle: a rapid 'kleek-kik-ik-ik-ik'. Surprisingly weak and thin for such a large raptor. Also gives a lower 'kwit-kwit' call near the nest.

Common Starling

Chant

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.

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Geographic Range & Migration

pygargue à tête blanche

North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.

Common Starling

Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

pygargue à tête blanche

Least Concern

Common Starling

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How to Tell Them Apart

pygargue à tête blanche

Plumage

Adults have a dark brown body with a striking white head and tail. Juveniles are mottled brown and white, reaching full adult plumage at age five.

Bec

Large, hooked, bright yellow bill

Common Starling

Plumage

Glossy black plumage with iridescent purple and green sheen in breeding season. Winter plumage shows white spotting. Short tail and pointed wings in flight.

Bec

Long, pointed bill — yellow in breeding season, dark in winter

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About These Birds

pygargue à tête blanche

The bald eagle is the national bird and symbol of the United States. Once endangered due to DDT pesticide use, it made a remarkable recovery and was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. These powerful raptors build the largest tree nests of any bird, some weighing over two tons.

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.

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Related Comparisons

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