Rome’s Winter Sky Comes Alive with Dancing Starlings
Every winter, thousands of starlings descend on Rome, fleeing the cold of northern Europe. In the warmer skies above the Eternal City, they perform a mesmerizing aerial ballet — massive flocks twisting and swirling at sunset like living clouds or waves of ink.
These hypnotic murmurations have become a beloved sight for tourists and photographers, drawing eyes skyward as the birds paint fleeting masterpieces in motion.
But the spectacle comes with a downside. Starling droppings coat streets and cars, creating a mess that frustrates locals. Despite efforts to scare them off, the birds return year after year, undeterred by noise or light.
Still, many see their arrival as a gift — a moment where nature and city collide in unexpected beauty. Even amid Rome’s ancient chaos, the starlings remind us that wonder can still take flight.
