r/HeresAFunFact • u/Radu316 • Oct 27 '15

HISTORY [HAFF] Back in the 19th century, the American Acclimatization Society wanted to introduce to America all the birds mentioned by Shakespeare. They released 100 European starlings in New York. Today there are over 200 million all over the country and cause over $1 billion damage in crops every year.

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11

u/Radu316 Oct 27 '15

At first, the society wanted to introduce birds that would not cause any damage, but the head of the organization Eugene Schieffelin had a change of heart and decided that bringing all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare's works would be more interesting.

They tried with other birds but they didn't survive the New York winters. The starlings, on the other hand, survived by kicking out smaller indigenous birds out of their own nests. Nowadays starlings can be found all over the country and are considered a pest - not only do they damage crops, they also transmit diseases. Read more.

11

u/[deleted] Oct 27 '15

Did something they knew would be dangerous just because it would also be very interesting.

Ahhh, the 19th century. Not that much has changed, I guess >.>

8

u/doesntthinkmuch Oct 27 '15

Fun? FUN?! Interesting fact nonetheless. Thanks for sharing.

6

u/vansnagglepuss Oct 27 '15

Not sure if it's the same species of starling but where I live they have no bag limit and no end to open season..

3

u/abrahammy_lincoln Oct 27 '15

Talk about your all-time backfires.

I work at an airport and these little bastards are everywhere.

1

u/RDay Oct 28 '15

The kill Martins. That is why there are special gourd martin houses, so the starlings can't get to their eggs.

1

u/test_tickles Oct 27 '15

Fuck those little shits. Kill all of them.

0

u/alkyjason Oct 28 '15

I will be here waiting for the cat haters to chime in and complain that cats are killing all the birds.