A Northern North American Record of the Starling

Abstract

The spread and establishment of the starling (Sturnus vulgaris) in many parts of North America since its introduction into New York City in 1890 is well known. It was not until recently, however, that evidence for its northward spread on this continent was obtained; the first record of this species from the Northwest Territories, near Fort Smith, was reported by Fuller. Since that time starlings have repeatedly been seen in the Fort Smith and Yellowknife areas and on 16 June 1964 Kuyt found a nest at Lookout Point, about 225 miles northwest of Fort Reliance, Northwest Territories. Starlings were first reported in Alaska in 1960 and since that time several have been seen in interior Alaska. On 27 June 1968 I observed a starling feeding at the edge of a sewer lagoon, about one-half mile north of Inuvik, Northwest Territories (68°21'N., 133°44'W.). This bird was not seen again despite several subsequent trips in the vicinity of where the original observation was made. This appears to be the most northerly record of the starling in North America, being about 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This observation was made while I was employed on contract with the Canadian Wildlife Service.