'Alarming' decline of common garden bird: Starling numbers in Britain have DROPPED to their lowest number ever recorded, RSPB warns

Starling Numbers Plummet in UK Gardens, Revealing Worrying Trend

Renowned for their impressive murmurations, iridescent plumage, and diverse vocalizations including chirps, whistles, and clicks, starlings are facing a significant crisis. New data from the UK’s largest garden wildlife survey reveals that starling populations have declined to their lowest recorded levels. This concerning trend highlights the challenges faced by common garden birds and the broader implications for UK biodiversity.

Big Garden Birdwatch Highlights Starling Decline

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch, a comprehensive study of garden bird populations, demonstrates a worrying shift. While the house sparrow remains the most frequently observed bird, followed by the blue tit, the starling has been relegated to fourth place, surpassed by the woodpigeon. This change signifies a substantial alteration in the composition of common garden bird species in the UK.

Dramatic Decrease in Starling Sightings

Figures from the survey are alarming. Since 1979, the data indicates an 85 percent reduction in the number of starling sightings reported in British gardens. This steep decline underscores the severity of the challenges confronting these once-ubiquitous birds. In stark contrast, woodpigeon sightings have surged by an extraordinary 1,160 percent over the same period, illustrating a dramatic shift in garden bird populations.

Starling Identification and Conservation Status

Starlings are recognized by their smaller size compared to blackbirds, featuring a short tail, pointed head, and triangular wings. During the breeding season, their plumage appears black from a distance, but closer inspection reveals a glossy sheen with hues of purple and green, along with white flecks on their feathers. Due to their decreasing numbers, starlings are classified as a red-listed species in the UK, indicating they are of high conservation concern and require urgent attention.

Historical Starling Abundance and Current Concerns

Prior to the turn of the millennium, the starling was routinely the most abundant species documented in the Big Garden Birdwatch. They are distributed throughout the UK, with populations increasing during winter as birds migrate from northern Europe. These gatherings often result in captivating aerial displays known as murmurations.

Public Participation in Bird Conservation

This year, nearly 600,000 individuals participated in the Big Garden Birdwatch, dedicating an hour to counting birds in their gardens or local green spaces during a weekend in January. This widespread participation aids conservationists in assessing the state of the nation’s birdlife. In total, nine million birds across 80 different species were counted, providing a comprehensive snapshot of UK bird populations.

RSPB’s Call for Action

Beccy Speight, Chief Executive of the RSPB, expressed concern over the findings. “Starlings are among our most charismatic garden birds, but this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch results are a cause for worry,” she stated. Highlighting the broader context, Speight added, “With one in six species at risk of extinction in Great Britain, we have inflicted more harm on our natural environment than we may realize.” However, she emphasized the potential for individual action: “We can all contribute to supporting these vulnerable birds by adopting simple measures that can benefit not only starlings but also a wide array of other garden wildlife.”

Potential Factors Contributing to Starling Decline

Currently, conclusive evidence explaining the starling decline is lacking. However, experts suggest potential contributing factors such as habitat loss due to intensive farming practices, a scarcity of nesting sites, and the effects of climate change leading to food shortages and increased vulnerability. Further research is needed to fully understand and address these challenges.

Supporting Starling Populations in Gardens

The RSPB offers guidance on how to aid these vibrant birds in gardens. Recommendations include avoiding pesticide use and maintaining a natural lawn to allow starlings to forage for invertebrates, particularly leatherjackets or cranefly larvae, a key food source. Short grass is also beneficial, providing starlings with better visibility to detect predators while feeding. Regular lawn mowing can therefore be advantageous.

Providing Nesting Sites for Starlings

Installing nest boxes can also significantly support starling populations by offering ready-made nesting locations. A nest box with a 45mm entrance hole is ideally sized for starlings, providing a safe and suitable space for breeding.

Increases in Other Bird Species

The Big Garden Birdwatch data also revealed increases in other species. Magpies and coal tits, following the woodpigeon, showed the most significant growth in numbers since 1979, with sightings increasing by 229 percent and 233 percent respectively, indicating shifts in the populations of various garden bird species.

Robin Remains Widespread Despite Decline

Despite apparent population declines across some species, the robin remains the most widespread bird, observed in 84.1 percent of gardens. This highlights the robin’s continued presence and adaptability across diverse garden environments.

Call for Collective Action to Restore Nature

Ms. Speight reiterated the need for broader conservation efforts: “To reverse nature’s decline and improve the prospects of our native species, we must assist them in returning to healthy population levels, so they can once again become a common sight in everyday life.” She further emphasized the necessity of collaborative action: “Our countryside, farms, and towns all require support to encourage nature, and while homes and gardens offer individuals a perfect setting to contribute, we urgently need governments and businesses to join us in the larger effort to restore our natural world.”

Seabird Conservation Crisis

In related conservation news, last year the RSPB added five British seabird species to the UK’s ‘red list,’ signifying their risk of extinction. Scientific assessments of breeding seabird populations revealed that Leach’s Storm-petrel, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Arctic Tern, and Great Skua are among Britain’s most endangered birds. These species join five other threatened seabirds already on the red list: Kittiwake, Herring Gull, Roseate Tern, Arctic Skua, and Puffin.

Katie-jo Luxton, global conservation director for the RSPB, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We need immediate action from our governments to address this dire situation, to confront the drivers of these declines and facilitate recovery.”

UK’s Top 10 Most Common Birds in 2025

1. House sparrow
2. Blue tit
3. Woodpigeon
4. Starling
5. Blackbird
6. Robin
7. Great tit
8. Goldfinch
9. Magpie
10. Long-tailed tit