Juvenile starlings, in my experience, have this really interesting grey-brown plumage. It’s not the most vibrant or eye-catching color, but there’s something special about it. It’s like a mix of grey and brown, creating a sort of mottled appearance on their feathers.
I remember seeing a group of young starlings for the first time during a summer afternoon. They were hopping around on the grass, pecking at insects and chirping away. Their plumage was definitely different from the adults. While the adults had this dark, iridescent and spotty plumage, the juveniles had this more subdued, almost understated look.
I found out later that this grey-brown plumage is characteristic of young starlings before they go through their post-juvenile moult. This moult happens sometime between summer and winter, and it’s during this time that they undergo a transformation. They shed their juvenile plumage and acquire the dark, iridescent and spotty plumage that we often associate with starlings.
It’s fascinating to think about this change that starlings go through. It’s like they have this period of transition where they don’t quite look like adults yet, but they’re also not the adorable fluffy chicks anymore. They’re in this in-between stage, and their plumage reflects that.
I’ve always found it interesting how different bird species have these distinct stages in their plumage development. It’s like nature has this way of gradually preparing them for adulthood. And with starlings, it’s no different. From their initial grey-brown plumage to the striking dark, iridescent plumage of the adults, it’s a journey worth observing.
So, to sum it all up, the color of juvenile starlings is this lovely grey-brown. It’s not the flashiest or most vibrant color out there, but it has its own charm. And if you happen to come across a group of young starlings, take a moment to appreciate their unique plumage before they undergo their post-juvenile moult.