Rome's annual starling murmurations are real and famous — millions of birds swirl over the city each winter before roosting. The descriptions of starlings as adaptable, vocally mimicking songbirds with iridescent plumage all match established ornithology. One thing the post leaves out: the murmurations are also a major nuisance for Rome, with the city deploying falcons and distress-call speakers to manage droppings on streets and monuments.