Nest Box Guide For Waterfowl - Alberta Conservation Association

Other Occasional Users5 to 7 eggs per nestEuropean Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)Starlings were introduced to North America in1890 and have spread widely. They have hada detrimental effect on all the cavity nesters.Starlings may cover duck eggs with nestingmaterial or puncture the eggs and cause nestdesertion. Several successive layers of strawand duck eggs may be found before one orthe other wins and succeeds in nesting. Inareas of high starling density, they will occupyall of the cavities and often raise a secondbrood. Starlings nest early (April) and make abulky nest of coarse grass, straw and feathers.The robin-sized eggs are a light blue with anaverage clutch size of 5. A successful nest isa dirty, smelly mess and should be cleanedwith the aid of a tool and gloves. A dustmask should also be worn. Starlings are veryterritorial, though this trait may be used toyour advantage by twinning nest boxes(see page 28).Actual size (average egg)21 mm29 mmNEST BOX GUIDE FOR WATERFOWL |23