noun
common starling; European starling
Refers specifically to the bird species Sturnus vulgaris. In everyday contexts, often seen in katakana.
公園でホシムクドリの群れを見かけた。
I saw a flock of common starlings in the park.
The name combines 星 (star) and 椋鳥 (mukudori, a type of starling), referring to the bird's speckled plumage. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.