100 years ago, a man released 60 strange birds, causing the US to lose $1 billion a year.

Releasing exotic animals into new environments can have serious consequences. This can make it difficult for these animals to survive and affect the local ecological balance, even causing species invasion.

The story below is an example.

In the 1920s, a number of exotic animals were introduced to the United States. During an investigation in Europe, a member of the American Birding Association discovered a local bird, the starling , also known as the European starling . This bird has smooth plumage, gray-black wings, and black feathers around its neck.

Starlings have become invasive birds in the United States.

According to experts, the living environment of animals should follow certain rules, because if changed artificially, it can easily lead to very serious consequences.

Ignoring the objections of other experts, the man returned to the US with 60 starlings. The expert hoped that the birds could breed in the US and bring different colors to the American sky.

At first, experts were worried whether this flock of exotic birds could withstand the cold in America. But unexpectedly, these starlings not only survived the harsh cold but also reproduced rapidly. Accordingly, within just one year, the number of starlings increased from 60 to more than 60,000. This flock of birds brought "disaster" to America.

By 1960, the European starling population in the United States had grown to 200 million and had officially become an airborne threat in the country. Starlings often fly in large flocks, dominating the skies of many native birds.

The Haunting of Invasive Birds

The plane could crash if it hits a flock of starlings.

However, this is not the worst of it. According to statistics, more than half of all plane crashes in the US in the 1960s were caused by starlings. 

On October 4, 1960, a Lockheed L188A Electra aircraft took off from Logan Airport (USA). But unexpectedly, just a few minutes after takeoff, the aircraft collided with a flock of starlings. Specifically, some starlings were sucked into the aircraft's engine, causing a sudden loss of power and eventually causing an unfortunate disaster.

The plane crashed into Winthrop Bay, killing 62 people. After investigation, authorities found 75 dead starlings on the runway.

According to experts, large planes can continue flying after colliding with birds weighing up to 2 kg. However, even small birds such as starlings can damage the plane's engines after a collision.

Starlings also eat crops and fruits, causing great losses to American agriculture. According to preliminary calculations by authorities, the United States loses about $1 billion each year due to this alien bird species.

Although the US has allowed the hunting of starlings, the bird's reproduction rate is too fast. According to experts' estimates, even if a million starlings were killed each year, they would still be numerous and "dominant" of the US skies.

Green iguanas are an invasive species in Florida (USA). (Photo: Sun Sentinel).

In addition to starlings, the United States has also been plagued by the rampage and invasion of green iguanas. This species is native to Brazil and Mexico. Green iguanas first appeared in South Florida (USA) in the 1960s after some residents released them into the wild when they found them too large.

Unexpectedly, due to their adaptation to Florida's subtropical climate, the green iguana population has increased rapidly. Officials have attempted to deal with the growing population by hiring a private company to patrol parks and public spaces in 2020. Despite removing more than 200 iguanas, the population has continued to grow.

Starlings often fly in large flocks together. (Photo: Newsflare).

The relationship between humans and nature is very close. Both sides have their own balance. Once the balance of one side is broken, the other side will definitely be affected. Therefore, humans should stay out of the game and should not interfere in any form of competition in nature. Otherwise, it will disrupt the ecosystem, leading to consequences that are difficult to overcome.

Starlings are small sparrow-like birds with short tails and long, slender beaks. Large flocks can number up to hundreds of thousands of starlings. European starlings are adaptable to different climates and geographical regions. Studies suggest that they often form clumps when flying to protect themselves from predators.