Starlings Fall 82% in UK Gardens Since 1970s

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Starlings have hit their lowest numbers ever in UK gardens, tumbling from third to fourth place in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch 2025.

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Nearly 600,000 people counted over nine million birds in this year's survey, spotting starlings in just 34.4% of gardens nationwide.

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These once-abundant birds have plummeted by a staggering 82% between 1970 and 2022, earning them a place on the UK's Red List of species facing serious threat.

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Starlings are one of our most charismatic garden birds, but this year's results are a reason for concern," warns RSPB Chief Executive Beccy Speight.

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House Sparrows kept their 22-year reign as the most commonly seen garden birds, despite their own population dropping 54% since the 1970s.

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Modern farming practices and housing developments have likely slashed starlings' food sources and nesting sites, pushing their numbers down year after year.

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Garden owners can help by avoiding pesticides, keeping some grass short for starling feeding, and installing nest boxes with 45mm entrance holes.

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The overall bird population has fallen 2% across the UK between 2018 and 2023, with England seeing a steeper 7% decline.

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