European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris): Introduced to North America in the 1890s by a group aiming to bring all birds mentioned by Shakespeare to the U.S., the European starling has since exploded to over 200 million. Highly adaptable, it forms massive flocks that damage crops, compete with native birds for nesting cavities, and displace species like bluebirds and woodpeckers. It spreads invasive plant seeds and carries diseases such as avian flu. Starlings roost in urban areas, creating sanitation and noise issues. Control methods include culling and nest removal, but their intelligence and reproductive rate make suppression difficult. This case underscores how cultural motives can lead to severe ecological disruption when non-native species are released without foresight.
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