There’s a great book titled Mozart’s Starling by L L Haupt: I borrowed it from the Charleston Public Library. I loved the book!
On May 27th, 1784, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart met a flirtatious little starling in a Viennese shop who sang an improvised version of the theme from his Piano Concerto no. 17 in G major. Sensing a kindred spirit in the plucky young bird, Mozart bought him and took him home to be a family pet. For three years, the starling lived with Mozart, influencing his work and serving as his companion, distraction, consolation, and muse. After rescuing a baby starling of her own, Haupt found herself enchanted by the same intelligence and playful spirit that had so charmed her favorite composer. In Mozart's Starling, Haupt explores the unlikely and remarkable bond between one of history's most cherished composers and one of earth's most common birds. The intertwined stories of Mozart's beloved pet and Haupt's own starling provide an unexpected window into human-animal friendships, music, the secret world of starlings, and the nature of creative inspiration.
From: <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Jeremy Wrenn <carolinabirds...>
Reply-To: Jeremy Wrenn <jeremy.wrenn...>
Date: Friday, May 16, 2025 at 6:59 PM
To: KEN LIPSHY <wuzupdoc12...>
Cc: carolinabirds listserve <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Re: Starling mimicking Cooper’s hawk, red shouldered hawk, Barn swallow, blackbird, grackle, robin, peewee, titmouse,
They are GREAT mimics. Amazing! I have one at work that does a spot-on Killdeer in Youngsville! --Jeremy Wrenn Wake Forest, NC On Fri, May 16, 2025, 4: 33 PM KEN LIPSHY <carolinabirds@ duke. edu> wrote: I suppose i have never stood next to
They are GREAT mimics. Amazing!
I have one at work that does a spot-on Killdeer in Youngsville!
--Jeremy Wrenn
Wake Forest, NC
On Fri, May 16, 2025, 4:33 PM KEN LIPSHY <carolinabirds...><mailto:<carolinabirds...>> wrote:
I suppose i have never stood next to a starling to listen carefully but i recorded one
Today that fooled Merlin for well over a dozen species.
