Murmuration

I began this series after being attracted to the beautifully synchronized movements of a large flock of birds I saw during my evening commute. Research led to the discovery that the flock was made up of one of the world’s most destructive invasive species- the European Starling. Introduced to New York’s Central Park in the 1890’s in an attempt to populate the park with every bird from William Shakespeare’s plays, the starling has since spread throughout North America. Mesmerizing and beautiful to watch, starlings destroy native bird habitats, cause billions of dollars in damage to crops, and threaten public health. For me, this contrast is a metaphor for our complicated relationship with invasive species and ill-conceived attempts to improve upon nature.