European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) as Vectors and Reservoirs of Pathogens Affecting Humans and Domestic Livestock

Abstract

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.

Seasonal changes in bird communities on poultry farms and house sparrow—wild bird contacts revealed by camera trapping

“…This contact can occur directly or indirectly through contamination of resources, thereby increasing the risk of transmission and spillback of avian pathogens, such as avian influenza viruses (AIV), Salmonella sp., and avian coronaviruses ( 10 ) among others. In this context, European starlings for example are a high-priority species for avian pathogen exposure detection studies as they can form large flocks in livestock feeders during the winter and autumn seasons, representing a potential risk of pathogen incursion into poultry farms, especially during the breeding season ( 11 ).…”

Association between movement patterns, microbiome diversity, and potential pathogen presence in free-ranging feral pigeons foraging in dairy farms

“…Dairy and poultry farming are particularly known to attract a variety of wildlife from peripheral habitats, due to their resource availability including food, shelter, and possible security from natural predators who avoid human habitats. European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) for example, often aggregate in high numbers from surrounding cities and towns to forage at farms, creating an intersection for otherwise distant subpopulations (Cabe 2021). Such use of shared space together with high densities and mobility may facilitate pathogen transmissions from birds to cattle or birds to other birds.…”

“…Indeed, birds have received a lot of attention in the field of zoonotic diseases due to their mobility and potential to spread pathogens over large distances and ecological barriers (Nabi et al 2021, Cabe 2021). While large-scale movements such as migration offer important insights into disease transmission, routine local movements within populations (e.g.…”

Molecular characterization of highly prevalent Escherichia coli and Escherichia marmotae resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) in Tunisia

“…Starlings are so widespread and problematic that they were classified among the three worst invasive birds on the World Conservation Union List ( 9 , 10 ). They can be potential reservoirs of bacteria as they have been recurrently described as carrying Campylobacter jejuni isolates ( 11 , 12 ). Cefotaxime- and ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli were also reported from European starlings in Canada, and one ESC-R SHV-12-producing E. coli was reported from a Spotless starling in Spain ( 13 – 15 ).…”