Bird Ramblings - Starlings

Last Thursday morning when Jeanette and I were looking for birds in Dallas Retirement Village we were surprised to hear a California Quail call out.  This is an unusual species to hear in this urban setting.  We did not see it, so we walked on. Next, we heard a Robin. Again, we could not find it. Next, we spotted this European Starling, and we knew right away we had been fooled. European Starlings are non-native birds, and thrive in urban settings, in fact we have them nesting in The Lodge eaves here at DRV. They are known to mimic the call or song of up to a dozen different species. Be cautious when you hear a bird you cannot see and be on the look-out for a nearby Starling.