Starling on the Ground at the Zoo.

[dalethorn]

I don't know for sure that this is a starling, but it's the closest match I could find in the Smithsonian Birds of North America.
Panasonic G1, daylight auto-exp., ISO 400.

[RSL]

better be careful around that guy, Dale. He looks POed that you're taking his picture.

[wolfnowl]

I don't know for sure that this is a starling, but it's the closest match I could find in the Smithsonian Birds of North America.
Panasonic G1, daylight auto-exp., ISO 400.

Yup.  European Starling, breeding plumage.

Nice shot too...

Mike.

[dalethorn]

Yup.  European Starling, breeding plumage.
Nice shot too...
Mike.

Thanks Mike - the book described the main part of the body as "black overall with iridescent sheen of purple and green."  I recall growing up here long ago when starlings were considered to be rather a pest, but I don't remember the coloration like this.  Maybe it's just luck that the lighting showed off these colors on this particular shot.