Common Starling vs Emu
Sturnus vulgaris comparé à Dromaius novaehollandiae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Common Starling | Emu |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Sturnus vulgaris | Dromaius novaehollandiae |
| Ordre | Passeriformes | Casuariiformes |
| Famille | Sturnidae | Dromaiidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 21,5 cm (8.5 in) | 175,0 cm (68.9 in) |
| Envergure | 37,0 cm (14.6 in) | 20,0 cm (7.9 in) |
| Poids | 78,0 g (2.75 oz) | 45000,0 g (1587.33 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Omnivorous — insects and larvae (especially leatherjackets), earthworms, fruit, and seeds. Probes soil with open … | Plants, seeds, fruits, flowers, and insects. Swallows large stones and charcoal to grind food in … |
| Taille de la couvée | 4-7 | 5-24 |
| 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.
Emu
Open grasslands, savanna woodlands, scrublands, and semi-arid plains across Australia. Avoids dense forest and true desert.
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.
Emu
Deep, resonant booming grunt 'e-moo', often repeated 3 times. Females give a deep drumming call produced by an inflatable throat pouch. Generally low-pitched and far-carrying.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Starling
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Emu
Throughout mainland Australia. Absent from Tasmania, where the Tasmanian emu was driven to extinction by 1850.
Statut de conservation
Common Starling
Emu
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
Emu
Shaggy grey-brown plumage with double-shafted feathers giving a loose, hair-like appearance. Bare blue skin on the face and neck.
Broad, flat, dark grey bill
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.
Emu
The emu is the second-tallest living bird and the largest bird native to Australia. It is the only bird with calf muscles, enabling powerful running at up to 50 km/h. In the famous Emu War of 1932, the Australian military was deployed against crop-raiding emus — and the emus arguably won.