Any passerine bird belonging to
Sturnus and allied genera. The European starling (
Sturnus vulgaris) is dark brown or greenish black, with a metallic gloss, and spotted with yellowish white. It is a sociable bird, and builds about houses, old towers, etc. Called also
stare, and
starred. The pied starling of India is
Sternopastor contra. [
1913 Webster]