Publisher’s update, 27 October 2026: Source-cited corrections were prepared with Codex. Specialist human review is pending; the original contributor’s byline is retained.
Nest-site reuse is possible, not guaranteed
Adult starlings may return to a familiar nesting area or cavity, but a repeated sighting does not establish that it is the same individual. Nesting and seasonal movements vary by region. Do not infer that every young bird deliberately leaves to avoid relatives. Observe active nests without disturbing, blocking or removing them; consult local wildlife rules before any exclusion work.
Sources checked 27 October 2026: Cornell Lab: European starling.
Starlings are one of the most common garden birds in the world but for many people, they are considered to be a pest.
If you’ve seen a lot of starlings in your yard, then you may be wondering, do starlings nest in the same place every year?
Do Starlings Migrate?
When you think of a starling, you’ll likely imagine this to be a resident bird, as you’ll typically see them all year round.
For the most part, this is true but there are some that will migrate.
This is more common in parts of Northern Europe, however and these birds will typically travel to the UK.
This is to find suitable shelter and food before they return to their breeding ground when the temperature rises a little.
Over the course of the winter, the starlings will gather in very large numbers, huddling together for the best cover.
There have been some reports of as many as one million starlings in a colony!
This is not uncommon and you may have heard of the murmuration which is an event that occurs just before the birds settle for the evening.
Flocks of starlings will put on a display in the sky, diving, swooping, and gliding which appears as one great mass of movement.
It’s quite the sight to behold!
Returning To Nesting Grounds
When we talk about starlings, we say that they move in what is termed as a colony, although the nesting ground may be spread over a few hectares.
If you’re an avid bird watcher and pay special attention to one particular breeding ground, then you may well be watching the same adult starlings return year after year.
For many of these birds, returning to the exact same nest from the previous year is not uncommon.
Do Starlings Mate For Life?
The starling courtship ritual is not unlike that of other birds.
Usually, the male will begin building a nest; gathering grass, straw, twigs, and other materials which he will fashion into a nest over the course of a few days.
As he does this, he will mimic other birds and sing, this is the first step in attracting a mate.
After this stage:
- he will then begin to line the nest with things like scented herbs, flowers, and leaves
Afterwards, the female will join the male to finish building the nest.
Even before the eggs have hatched, the male may wander to find another new mate from within the same colony.
This isn’t always the case but is very common.
Moreover: There is a very realistic chance of conflicts between his two mates.
Conclusion
Starlings are fascinating birds that have a tendency to return to the same mating place every year.
Many birds will even return to the nest they built in the previous season.