help with IDing a bird

[pjking227]

Hi,

Today we had a flock of birds come to use our feeders and bathe.  I could not find them in my Birds of the Carolinas book.  They were black with brown markings on their wings and belly, in the sun the black had beautiful colored highlights.  I couldn't really tell, but, some looked like their beaks were an orangey color while others were brownish.  They were all a bit larger than my wrens I usually get, smaller than the black birds.  I don't know if they are migrating or if they just found my feeders.  They acted like they were very hungry.  Must have been 50-75 of them in the flock.  Very beautiful, but unusual birds.

Thanks
Patti

[Will Cook]

They could be European Starlings. They are usually in flocks and may have dark or yellow bills. Did you get a photo?

[pjking227]

Thanks for the possible tip about them being European Starlings.  I had seen pictures of European Starlings, but I wasn't sure if that was what they were.  No, I wasn't able to get any pictures.  And since this posting, they have not been back.  Very sad for me.  My family and I really enjoyed them for the short time they were here.