Starlings knock out Jersey cop shop data center

A murmuration of starlings brought down a police and fire department data center in Millville, New Jersey. Public officials suspect a pair of the invasive, gregarious birds were perched on the wires and touched wings, causing a shortage of a transformer in front of City Hall and knocking out power.

Photo by JE Theriot

This is not the first time starlings have caused problems for U.S. businesses. The birds were introduced to the U.S. in the 1890s and are a costly invasive species, causing air traffic problems and agricultural destruction.