Is the European starling protected under federal law?

No. The European starling is not protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Under the USFWS 2020 Federal Register ruling, the MBTA does not apply to non-native, human-introduced species, and Sturnus vulgaris is explicitly included in that category. This means it is federally legal to deter, exclude, and in some circumstances remove starlings without a federal permit. However, native birds sharing the same habitat — bluebirds, tree swallows, chickadees, and others — ARE protected. Confirm the species before touching any nest.

Are all dark birds nesting in my vents starlings?

Not necessarily, and this matters legally. Common grackles, red-winged blackbirds, and various native sparrows and swallows may use similar habitat and are all protected under the MBTA. European starlings are 8–9 inches long with a short squared tail, triangular wings, and an iridescent purple-green sheen (or white-speckled in winter). Juvenile starlings are plain gray-brown and may look unfamiliar. If you cannot positively confirm the bird is a starling, do not disturb the nest — contact a professional for a species ID.

Can I legally remove a starling nest?

Federally, yes — starlings are unprotected under the MBTA, so removing an active starling nest does not violate federal law. That said, New Hampshire may have additional nuisance wildlife regulations worth checking with NH Fish and Game, and humane methods are always preferred. The more important point is accuracy: if you remove what you think is a starling nest but it belongs to a protected native species, that is a federal violation. Positive identification before removal is essential. When in doubt, call a professional.

Is it dangerous to clean up starling droppings?

Yes, if the accumulation is heavy. Starling droppings can harbor Histoplasma capsulatum, the fungus responsible for histoplasmosis — a lung infection ranging from mild to severe. The risk comes from disturbing dried droppings and inhaling the released spores. For light, weathered accumulations: use a respirator (N95 or P100), gloves, and wet the material before cleaning. For heavy accumulations (thick layers or large surface areas), professional remediation with full respiratory protection is strongly recommended. Never dry-sweep or vacuum heavy bird droppings without PPE.

Why are starlings getting into my dryer and bathroom vents?

Starlings are secondary cavity nesters — they evolved to find and use existing holes rather than excavate their own. A dryer, bathroom, stove, or gable vent is a perfect analog to a tree cavity: enclosed, sheltered from weather, and warm. They enter through the flapper-style louvers on most builder-grade vent covers, which offer no real barrier. Nesting material can block airflow significantly, creating fire risk in dryer vents and carbon monoxide risk in stove and furnace exhausts. Installing mesh vent guards before February is the most effective prevention.

Will starlings bring mites into my house?

Yes, indirectly. Starling nests harbor bird mites (primarily Ornithonyssus sylviarum, the northern fowl mite). While the birds are present, the mites feed on them and stay in the nest. When the birds leave — at the end of the season, or if the roost is excluded — the mites lose their host and disperse into the adjacent living space. They can enter through the same vent opening the birds used. Bird mite bites are irritating but the mites cannot complete their life cycle on humans. See our bird mite page for identification and control steps.

How do I tell a starling from a protected native bird?

The fastest field checks: (1) Size — starlings are 8–9 inches, noticeably larger than native sparrows (5–6 in) but smaller than grackles (11–13 in). (2) Tail shape — starlings have a short, squared tail; native blackbirds and grackles have longer, more prominent tails. (3) Bill — starlings have a long, straight, pointed yellow bill (breeding) or dark bill (winter); native sparrows have short conical bills. (4) Behavior — starlings walk and strut on the ground; many native species hop. When identification is uncertain, do not disturb the nest.

Why were European starlings introduced to the U.S.?

The starling's introduction is one of history's more consequential ecological accidents by design. Eugene Schieffelin, a member of the American Acclimatization Society, reportedly aimed to introduce every bird mentioned in Shakespeare's works to North America. He released approximately 60 starlings in New York's Central Park on March 6, 1890, and another 40 or so in 1891. Those releases succeeded where earlier attempts had failed, and the population expanded to cover the continent. Today North America holds an estimated 200 million starlings — all descended from Schieffelin's birds.

Do starlings harm native birds?

Yes, significantly. Starlings are aggressive secondary cavity nesters that will evict native species — including bluebirds, tree swallows, and great crested flycatchers — from nest boxes and natural cavities, sometimes killing the occupants or their eggs. Native bird conservationists and NH bluebird trail monitors actively manage nest boxes to prevent starling takeover. This is a major reason why starlings remain a high-priority pest species despite being non-venomous and non-aggressive toward people.

What is the best long-term deterrent for starlings?

Physical exclusion is the most durable fix. For vents: install 1/4-inch hardware cloth or commercial vent guards — the wire mesh physically blocks entry and cannot be habituated. For ledges and rafters: stainless steel ledge spikes, wire coil systems, or sloped covers deny perching and roosting without harming birds. Visual deterrents (reflective tape, plastic owls) provide short-term relief but starlings are intelligent and quickly learn to ignore stationary decoys. The goal is to deny access, not to keep scaring birds away repeatedly.

European starling · Sturnus vulgaris

BirdsNH resident

European Starling in New Hampshire — ID, Signs & Control

Also called Common starling · Starling

The European starling is a non-native, federally unprotected bird that invades dryer vents, gable vents, and building cavities across New Hampshire. Accurate ID matters: native cavity nesters sharing the same habitat ARE protected under the MBTA. Exclusion and deterrents come first; accumulated droppings carry histoplasmosis and require PPE and wet-cleaning.

At a glance

Length: 8–9 in; wingspan 12–16 in; about 2–3 oz (Wildlife Illinois)
MBTA status: Not protected; USFWS 2020 Federal Register — non-native introduced species exempt
Introduced: 1890; ~60 birds released in Central Park by Eugene Schieffelin, American Acclimatization Society
Broods per year: 2–3; 4–6 eggs per clutch; secondary cavity nester
Disease risk: Histoplasmosis; from accumulated droppings; wet-clean with PPE — never dry-sweep
Lookalike risk: Juvenile starling vs. native birds; Juveniles are plain gray-brown; confirm ID before touching any nest

The short of it

The invasive cavity nester jamming your vents

The European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is one of New Hampshire's most disruptive non-native birds — and one of the most misunderstood. Homeowners often assume that any dark bird nesting in a vent is protected by federal law. It is not: under the USFWS 2020 Federal Register ruling, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act does not apply to non-native, human-introduced species, and the starling is at the top of that list.

That legal clarity comes with a critical responsibility: native cavity-nesting birds — bluebirds, tree swallows, chickadees, and others — share the same habitat and ARE fully protected. Misidentifying a native nest and disturbing it is a federal violation. Accurate ID before any intervention is non-negotiable.

Starlings were introduced to North America deliberately. In March 1890, Eugene Schieffelin of the American Acclimatization Society released roughly 60 starlings in New York's Central Park, and another 40 or so in 1891. From that founding event, the species spread continent-wide. Today they displace native cavity nesters, jam building vents with nesting material, and leave accumulated droppings that carry histoplasmosis. Exclusion — sealing cavities and installing deterrents — is the right first move, not eviction of birds you haven't positively identified.

Identify it

How to identify a European starling

Starlings shift dramatically with season and age — breeding adults are glossy iridescent purple-green; winter adults are speckled white; juveniles are plain gray-brown. The body silhouette (triangular pointed wings, short squared tail, pot-bellied shape) and the scurrying, ground-walking foraging style are consistent year-round.

Species profile

European starling

Scientific name: Sturnus vulgaris
Family: Sturnidae
Size: 8–9 in length; wingspan 12–16 in; weight 2–3 oz
Coloration: Breeding adult: iridescent purple-green with yellow bill. Winter adult: same base plumage covered in white speckle tips. Juvenile: plain gray-brown, darker below.
Habitat: Building vents, barn eaves, utility cavities, tree cavities, nest boxes — any secondary cavity it can usurp.
Active season: Year-round; nesting March–July; winter flocking November–February
Diet: Omnivore — insects, earthworms, berries, seeds, and scraps; forages on lawns and open ground.
Reproduction: 2–3 broods per season; 4–6 eggs per clutch; both parents incubate ~12 days; young fledge at ~21 days.
Lifespan: Wild average 2–3 years; up to 15 years recorded

Common across all of New Hampshire year-round; range expanding; one of the most abundant birds in North America.

The tells — key ID features

Triangular pointed wings and short squared tail — the classic starling silhouette in flight.
Pot-bellied, short-tailed shape when perched; walks with a waddling strut on the ground.
Iridescent purple-green gloss on breeding adults; white speckles in fall and winter.
Yellow bill in breeding season; dark bill in winter.
Loud, rambling, mimicking song — squeaks, whistles, rattles, and imitations of other birds.
Juveniles are plain gray-brown and often confused with other species — check size and bill shape.

Size, to scale

The insect

8–9 inches

Compared to

About the same length as a robin, but stockier and shorter-tailed

Looks bigger than it is

Juveniles look completely different from adults — plain gray-brown, no iridescence. Confirm species before assuming MBTA status.

Is it actually this? — the confusion species

Common grackle

How to tell — Grackles are noticeably larger with a long, keel-shaped tail and bright yellow eye. Both are dark and iridescent, but the grackle's tail shape and larger size separate them. Grackles ARE protected under the MBTA.

Native blackbirds (red-winged, rusty, Brewer's)

How to tell — All native blackbirds are protected under the MBTA. Red-winged blackbirds have shoulder patches; Brewer's and rusty blackbirds have longer tails and different eye colors. When in doubt, do not disturb the nest.

Juvenile starling vs. native sparrows

How to tell — Juvenile starlings are much larger (8–9 in) and have a longer, straighter bill than any native sparrow (5–6 in). Native sparrows are protected; starlings are not. Size and bill shape are the fastest check.

What you'll notice

Signs of a problem

Starlings are noisy and messy — the signs of an active infestation show up in multiple places at once.

Nesting material (grass, feathers, trash) packed into dryer or bathroom exhaust vents

What it means — Active or recent starling nest in the vent — a fire and blockage hazard that needs immediate attention.

Heavy white dropping accumulations on ledges, under rooflines, or on vehicles below a roost

What it means — Active roosting or nesting site above; droppings carry histoplasmosis and are corrosive — use PPE for cleanup.

Large, noisy, swirling flocks on utility lines or building rooflines — especially in fall and winter

What it means — Starling roost forming; numbers can reach hundreds to thousands.

Native birds (bluebirds, swallows, chickadees) abandoning nest boxes they previously used

What it means — Starlings may be actively evicting them — a sign of territorial takeover in progress.

Loud, rambling, squeaky song mixed with mimicry of other birds from inside or near a vent

What it means — Breeding pair in residence; nesting likely underway.

Scratching, rustling, or chirping from inside a wall cavity or vent opening

What it means — Nesting inside the building envelope; young may be present.

How much it matters

The real risks, calibrated

The primary risks from European starlings are health-related (droppings) and structural (vent blockage, native bird displacement). The bird itself is not aggressive toward people.

Overall risk

Moderate

Histoplasmosis from accumulated droppings

High

Onset: Risk increases with accumulation volume

Histoplasma capsulatum fungus grows in bird and bat droppings. Disturbance — especially dry-sweeping — releases spores that can cause lung infection. Large accumulations should be wet-cleaned with respirator (N95+) and gloves, or remediated professionally.

Cryptococcosis (secondary risk)

Moderate

Onset: Less common than histoplasmosis

Cryptococcus neoformans can also be associated with bird droppings and is a concern for immunocompromised individuals. Same PPE and wet-cleaning precautions apply.

Ectoparasites and bird mites entering the home

Moderate

Onset: After birds leave or are excluded from a roost

Bird mites that fed on nesting starlings will seek a new host when the birds depart. They can infest living spaces and bite humans. See the bird mite page for identification and control.

Vent blockage and fire risk

Moderate

Onset: Within weeks of nesting start

Nesting material jammed into dryer, bathroom, or stove vents blocks exhaust airflow. A clogged dryer vent is a leading residential fire hazard. Carbon monoxide risk applies to stove and furnace exhausts.

Displacement of native cavity nesters

Moderate

Onset: During nesting season

Starlings aggressively usurp nest boxes and tree cavities from bluebirds, tree swallows, and chickadees — sometimes killing the occupants. Native species loss has documented ecological consequences for insect control and pollination.

What you can do

DIY — what works, what backfires

Exclusion and deterrents are the correct first step — not removal. The legal line between starlings (unprotected) and native birds (protected) means you must confirm species before touching any nest. Start by denying access.

What actually works

Install vent covers with mesh (1/4-inch hardware cloth or commercial vent guards) over all exhaust vents — dryer, bathroom, stove, gable — before nesting season begins (February in NH).
Use ledge spikes, wire coils, or sloped covers on building ledges and rafters where starlings roost.
Confirm the cavity is empty and the species is a starling before sealing any opening.
Wet-clean droppings with water and a disinfectant solution; wear an N95 or P100 respirator and gloves. Never dry-sweep accumulated droppings.
Protect native bird nest boxes with starling-resistant hole sizes (1.5 in diameter admits bluebirds; excludes starlings at 1.5 in only marginally — use 1-9/16 in for bluebird boxes).
Remove starling nesting material from cavities after confirming vacancy — this discourages re-nesting.

What backfires

Don't dry-sweep or vacuum heavy dropping accumulations without PPE — the aerosol risk for histoplasmosis is real.
Don't assume federal bird protections do not apply just because the bird is dark-colored — native blackbirds and grackles are protected. Confirm the species is a starling before any nest intervention.
Don't remove or disturb any nest without first confirming it is not a protected native species — this is a federal violation under the MBTA.
Don't rely on visual deterrents (reflective tape, plastic owls) alone — starlings habituate to them quickly.
Don't use poisons — they are not approved for this use, can kill non-target species including raptors via secondary poisoning, and are not a durable solution.

Local Context

European starlings in New Hampshire homes and buildings

Starlings are year-round New Hampshire residents. They nest in dryer vents, bathroom exhaust vents, gable vents, barn eaves, and utility cavities across Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Derry, Bedford, and Salem. In winter, large flocks roost on commercial buildings, under bridges, and along ledges — leaving heavy dropping accumulations that require professional cleanup. Vent-nesting complaints peak in spring (March–May) during the first brood. Because NH also hosts native cavity nesters competing for the same sites — tree swallows and bluebirds especially — positive ID before any nest removal is required.

Peak season

Year-round resident; nesting complaints peak March–June; winter roost complaints November–February

You might actually have

House sparrow (also unprotected — usurps the same vents and nest boxes)
Native tree swallows (protected — same vent and box habitat)
Native bluebirds (protected — often evicted by starlings from nest boxes)

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ManchesterNashuaConcordDerryBedfordSalemLondonderryHudsonMerrimackGoffstownRaymondPelham

Hillsborough · Rockingham · Merrimack Counties

NH-licensed applicator · #782664
Same-day service
Family-owned since 2017

Service Area Map

Southern New Hampshire

When it's past DIY

When to call a pro for European starling control

When starlings have established a roost in a building's vent system, on commercial ledges, or in hard-to-reach structural cavities — or when a dropping accumulation is large enough to require hazmat-level cleanup — professional exclusion and remediation is the right call. A licensed technician can confirm species ID, safely remove nesting material, and install lasting physical exclusion.

Signals it's past DIY

When to call a pro

Starlings have nested inside a dryer, stove, or bathroom vent and you cannot safely clear and seal it yourself.
Dropping accumulations are heavy (more than a light coating) — professional wet-remediation with appropriate PPE is warranted.
Large roosts on commercial buildings or multi-unit properties where ledge deterrents need to be installed at height.
You are unsure whether the nesting birds are starlings or a protected native species.
Bird mites have entered the living space after a starling roost was vacated — the infestation needs to be treated alongside the exclusion.

Keep them out — prevention

NH-specific

Cap vents before February

Starlings scout nest sites in late winter. Install 1/4-inch hardware cloth or commercial vent guards on all exhaust vents before nesting begins.

Install ledge deterrents proactively

Ledge spikes, wire systems, and sloped covers prevent roosting before it starts. Deterrents installed post-roost are less effective because birds are already habituated to the site.

NH-specific

Use starling-resistant nest boxes for native birds

Hole size is the primary exclusion tool for nest boxes. Proper diameter selection protects native cavity nesters while excluding starlings.

Inspect and clear vent covers annually

NH's freeze-thaw cycle can shift or damage mesh covers. Check every fall and re-secure before starling nesting season.

Not sure it's a european starling?

A licensed NH technician can confirm the species and tell you honestly whether it's a DIY fix or a job for a pro — free inspection, same-day service across Southern New Hampshire.

Get a Free Inspection (603) 785-0118

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Sources(6)

[1]
Wildlife Illinois — European Starling
size, coloration, biology
govverified 2026-06-30
[2]
USFWS Federal Register 2020 — MBTA Applicability
non-native species MBTA exemption
govverified 2026-06-30
[3]
Cornell Lab — All About Birds MBTA Explainer
MBTA protections and exemptions
academicverified 2026-06-30
[4]
PAWS — Pigeons, Starlings & Sparrows
nesting behavior, secondary cavity nesting, displacement of native birds
industryverified 2026-06-30
[5]
Maine DACF — Starling and House Sparrow Fact Sheet
nesting biology, broods, native bird displacement
govverified 2026-06-30
[6]
CDC NIOSH — Histoplasmosis and the Environment
histoplasmosis risk from bird droppings, PPE guidance
govverified 2026-06-30

Written & reviewed by

Verified

Daniel Brady

NH-Licensed Pesticide Applicator · License #782664 (NHDAMF, RSA 430)

Daniel Brady is the New Hampshire–licensed applicator behind Anchor Pest Services, a family-owned pest control company serving the Manchester area since 2017.

Verify license

Last updated 2026-06-30

New Hampshire pest control

Dealing with european starlings in your home?

Anchor Pest Services identifies and handles european starling problems across southern and central New Hampshire. Family-owned since 2017, NH license #782664.

Get a Free Inspection (603) 785-0118

NH-licensed applicators (#782664)
Same-day service · free inspection
Family-owned since 2017

Keep Exploring

European Starling in New Hampshire — ID, Signs & Control

The invasive cavity nester jamming your vents

How to identify a European starling

The tells — key ID features

Size, to scale

Common grackle

Native blackbirds (red-winged, rusty, Brewer's)

Juvenile starling vs. native sparrows

Signs of a problem

Nesting material (grass, feathers, trash) packed into dryer or bathroom exhaust vents

Heavy white dropping accumulations on ledges, under rooflines, or on vehicles below a roost

Large, noisy, swirling flocks on utility lines or building rooflines — especially in fall and winter

Native birds (bluebirds, swallows, chickadees) abandoning nest boxes they previously used

Loud, rambling, squeaky song mixed with mimicry of other birds from inside or near a vent

Scratching, rustling, or chirping from inside a wall cavity or vent opening

The real risks, calibrated

Histoplasmosis from accumulated droppings

Cryptococcosis (secondary risk)

Ectoparasites and bird mites entering the home

Vent blockage and fire risk

Displacement of native cavity nesters

DIY — what works, what backfires

What actually works

What backfires

European starlings in New Hampshire homes and buildings

When to call a pro for European starling control

Cap vents before February

Install ledge deterrents proactively

Use starling-resistant nest boxes for native birds

Inspect and clear vent covers annually

Not sure it's a european starling?

Frequently asked questions

Dealing with european starlings in your home?

Your next step

How to Get Rid of European Starlings

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Bird & Bat Prevention: Legal, Humane Exclusion in NH

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