European Starling

I saw a bird right outside my window the other day, and I could not figure out what it was.  It looked like a robin-sized bird that was white with brown streaks.  It was being very conspicuous, singing and stretching its wings, but of course my binoculars were nowhere to be found.  I finally grabbed my camera and this is what I saw.

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

My mysterious brown and white bird had turned into an European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris).  This is the bird was loved by Europeans so much, they brought them in boats to America to let them go (100 birds were released in Central Park, New York, NY in 1890).  The starlings really took off in America, you can find them everywhere.  They compete with native species for nesting sites, and create large noisy and messy roosts

Despite their being invasive, you have to admit they do have pretty feathers.  The Europeans did have a point about how they shine in the sun.  We can see their rainbow sheen and brightness, but E. Starlings can see Ultraviolet light.  They see each other in even more color!

Slug Caterpillars!

I had the luckiest day!  Two Slug Caterpillars on one trail at the UT Arboretum!

Slug Caterpillars have to be one of the strangest-looking critters in the forest.  They are called "slug" due to their tiny front 6 legs, and on the rest of their body instead of having prolegs like most caterpillars, they have suction-like disks.  So they move SLOW, like slugs!

This one is called a Saddleback Caterpillar (Acharia stimulea).

Saddleback Caterpillar (Acharia stimulea)

 It looks like someone put a tiny green blanket on the back with a tinier saddle.  Note the hairs on the ends.  DO NOT TOUCH!  This caterpillar has one of the worst stings in the insect world. 

The other one I saw is the Skiff Moth Caterpillar (Prolimacodes badia).

Skiff Moth Caterpillar (Prolimacodes badia)

Yes, I promise this is a caterpillar.  Everyone I show this picture to thinks its a leaf at first.  Its camouflage is so good, it usually forages on the top of leaves.  The spots on the back vary through its range, so predators will not get used to one coloration.

The moths of these two caterpillars are unremarkable.  They are dark brown and are shaped just like a moth.  Its amazing how metamorphosis can change the bizarre to the unremarkable!