How can I tell how old My Starling Bird is??
Unlike humans, birds do not go grey or develop wrinkles. If their outward appearance does not change, how can we tell their age? In most cases ringing provides data on lifespan and longevity. Natural clues to the precise age of a bird are few and only serve to chart survival into adulthood – not beyond. Small birds replace distinctive juvenile plumage with that of an adult within months of being born. After this, their looks do not alter. Larger birds take several years to reach maturity during which time they grow progressively more adult-like feathers. Brown juvenile gannets acquire white plumage resembling their parents’ through a series of moults over a five-year period. Those that make it through to their first birthday can look forward to a drop in annual mortality rate – but only to 60 per cent. Life is cheap for small songbirds. Even so, some have made it to the ripe old age of 15 for Great T.i.t.s, 16 for Swallows and 20 for Starlings and Blackbirds. Hope this helped a bit but
