One of the first two colour-ringed Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris today at the bird ringing station Hessenpoort, in Zwolle, The Netherlands. Ringed by Jan van Dijk.
In The Netherlands, Commong Starlings are rapidly declining. The reason for their decline is poorly understood. Sovon (Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology) and the Dutch branch of Bird Life, announced 2014 to be the “Year of the Starling”. These rings can be donated to ringers/starlings by the public: https://www.vogelbeschermingshop.nl/uitgelicht-natuurcadeau?product_id=827 They’re 8 Euro’s each, but should last a starling’s life time.
