Primer registro de daño a cultivo de frutales por el estornino pinto (Sturnus vulgaris) (Passeriformes: Sturnidae) en Argentina

Abstract

“First record of damage to a fruit crop by the European starling ( Sturnus vulgaris ) [Passeriformes: Sturnidae] in Argentina”. The European starling ( Sturnus vulgaris ) is an exotic invasive bird that was first record in Argentina in 1987 and nowadays it is expand- ing in the country. In November 2014 we observed pairs and small flocks of starlings eating blueberries for first time in a field placed in the locality of City Bell (La Plata, Buenos Aires province). In December of this year a flock between 80 and 100 starlings consumed the 75% of the last stage of blueberries production. It is the first record of damage to a fruit crop by the starling in Argentina.