Rosy Starling

(Sturnus roseus)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 0 – 7 000 pairs

Distribution pattern

Nomadic species with irregular and unpredictable breeding in some sites, most often and more grouped along the Black Sea coast (around Burgas and Cape Kaliakra), Besaparski hills, in the Karnobat Field and the areas along the Tundzha river, etc. In most areas breeds only once, but there are also relatively permanent nesting grounds, occupied for up to 5-6 years in a row and not used the rest of the time. Wandering flocks before and during the breeding season are found in the lower parts throughout the country, along clearly defined “corridors” along the Struma River Valley, the Sub-Balkan and the Thracian Plain, the Danube and Black Sea coasts, and between Silistra and Cape Emine.

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

Breeds mainly in the abundant cavities in steep rocky shores (along the Northern Black Sea coast), but significant colonies have been found lately in stone quarries (including the unused parts of operating ones), which are closest in nature to screes. The nesting and the size of the colonies are highly dependent on the food availability in steppe and dry calcareous grasslands, improved grasslands, crops and other (annual) grass crops, orchards and other areas in settlements, especially those with fruit trees – predominantly of Morus alba and M. nigra, Cerasus sp., etc.

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Not analysed

Threats

Not analysed