Sparrow vs. Starling — What's the Difference?

Any of various small birds of the family Emberizidae, having brownish or grayish plumage and found throughout the Americas, such as the song sparrow.

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturnidae. The name "Sturnidae" comes from the Latin word for starling, sturnus.

Any of various birds of the family Passeridae, especially the house sparrow.

Any of various passerine birds of the family Sturnidae, native to the Eastern Hemisphere and characteristically having a short tail, pointed wings, and dark, often iridescent plumage, especially Sturnus vulgaris, widely naturalized worldwide.

Any of various similar birds of other families, such as the Java sparrow.

A protective structure of pilings surrounding a pier of a bridge.

The house sparrow, Passer domesticus; a small bird with a short bill, and brown, white and gray feathers.

A family, Sturnidae, of passerine birds.

A member of the family Passeridae, comprising small Old World songbirds.

The common starling, Sturnus vulgaris, which has dark, iridescent plumage.

A member of the family Emberizidae, comprising small New World songbirds.

(hydraulic engineering) An inclosure like a coffer-dam, formed of piles driven closely together, before any work or structure as a protection against the wash of the waves, commonly used to protects the piers of a bridge.

Generically, any small, nondescript bird.

One of the piles used in forming such a breakwater.

A quick-witted, lively person.

A fish, rock trout (Hexagrammos spp.), of the North Pacific, especially, Hexagrammos decagrammus, found in US waters.

One of many species of small singing birds of the family Fringilligæ, having conical bills, and feeding chiefly on seeds. Many sparrows are called also finches, and buntings. The common sparrow, or house sparrow, of Europe (Passer domesticus) is noted for its familiarity, its voracity, its attachment to its young, and its fecundity. See House sparrow, under House.

Any passerine bird belonging to Sturnus and allied genera. The European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is dark brown or greenish black, with a metallic gloss, and spotted with yellowish white. It is a sociable bird, and builds about houses, old towers, etc. Called also stare, and starred. The pied starling of India is Sternopastor contra.

Any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the European hedge sparrow. See under Hedge.

A California fish; the rock trout.

Any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects

A structure of piles driven round the piers of a bridge for protection and support; - called also sterling.

Small brownish European songbird

Gregarious birds native to the Old World