Dispersal and population structure in the European Starling

Dispersal in birds can be estimated in several ways, including the use of banding data and the indirect use of genetic data. This study uses both of these to estimate dispersal and genetic population structure in the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) in North America. Banding data imply that natal dispersal is quite high, and this finding is supported by the observed rapid colonization of North America. Genetic data, based on allozyme allele frequencies from populations in Virginia, Vermont, Colorado, and California, are consistent with a species with large demes and high rates of dispersal.