Abstract
Simple SummaryEuropean starlings are an abundant, widespread avian species frequently found in close association with human development and agriculture. Do starlings play a role in transmitting disease to humans or domestic livestock? To investigate the importance of European starlings as disease vectors, I reviewed and assessed the available literature, comprising several hundred published papers. Although a wide variety of potential pathogens have been reported in starlings, the strongest evidence suggests that they may be responsible for harboring and dispersing some species of enteric bacteria, with Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni of perhaps greatest interest, and primarily in the context of dairies, concentrated animal feeding operations, and other intensive livestock agriculture. Although they can carry other pathogens like Salmonella and influenza viruses, evidence suggests they are not as important in the ecology of these diseases.European starlings are an abundant, widespread avian species frequently found in close association with human development and agriculture. The ability of starlings to carry and disperse pathogens of humans and domesticated livestock has received considerable attention, including studies of enteric bacteria, viruses, and some fungi. To investigate the importance of European starlings as disease vectors, I reviewed and assessed the available literature, comprising several hundred published papers. Although a wide variety of potential pathogens have been reported in starlings, the strongest evidence suggests that they may be responsible for harboring and dispersing some species of enteric bacteria, with Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni of perhaps greatest interest, and primarily in the context of dairies, concentrated animal feeding operations, and other intensive livestock agriculture.
Highlights
Few bird species have equaled the global success of European starlings (Sturnidae: Sturnus vulgaris), native to a broad swath of western Europe but introduced widely [1]
The vast majority of work on bacterial commensals and pathogens in starlings dealt with species of enteric bacteria which colonize a broad range of vertebrate hosts
Escherichia coli comprises a large group of related bacteria which colonize the intestinal tract of animals, but may persist in some external environments
Summary
Few bird species have equaled the global success of European starlings (Sturnidae: Sturnus vulgaris), native to a broad swath of western Europe but introduced widely [1]. European starlings are of clear interest in animal-human interactions Because of their broad geographic range and close association with humans, their biology and natural history is well known [1]. European starlings are secondary cavity nesters, with 4–6 eggs per clutch and typically two clutches per year They are broadly and opportunistically omnivorous, eating invertebrates, seeds, and fruits, including grains and prepared livestock foods when available. They are highly social at all times of the year. They readily breed in close proximity to other starlings, and frequently forage in flocks outside of the breeding season; flock sizes of tens of thousands up to hundreds of thousands are relatively common [4] and roosting aggregations can include other species [1] and number in the millions. Migration is variable by population and individual, but collectively, millions of individuals move seasonally in their native range and in North America
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