Bali starling
Our Bali Bird Sanctuary is a unique island home where endangered birds are offered the protection of an entire community.
The sanctuary is a haven for the critically endangered Bali starling – the world’s second rarest bird – and other endangered native species.
The Bali starling, also known as Rothschild’s mynah, Bali mynah and Jalak Bali, is the emblem bird of Bali. It is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
This starling, the most beautiful of the mynah family, is endemic to Bali and native to lowland, tropical forests. It has a sky-blue mask around both eyes and a yellow bill. Its lifespan in the wild is up to five years but it can live up to 15 in captivity. The starlings lay turquoise eggs and hatch up to four chicks a season.
A thriving wild population
Today, our sanctuary is home now to over 100 Bali starlings. The species has suffered decades of global trafficking and when we started the project in 2006, fewer than 10 remained in the wild.
The very first group of 64 Bali starlings we rehabilitated and released on Nusa Penida came from Begawan Giri Hotel (later Begawan Foundation), where Dr Bayu Wirayudha, our founder, director and a bird specialist, designed and managed a breeding program. He had successfully bred almost 100 birds from two pairs imported from the United Kingdom.
Today, our specialist staff on Nusa Penida breed starlings for release in the wild. As is Balinese tradition, the birds are set free during a special temple ceremony at which a priest conducts a ceremonial prayer and blessings.
Before the ceremony, our birdkeepers travel to each island temple to collect the holy water which is used to bless the starlings and spiritually tie them to the community. Our keepers also place nest boxes in the trees near the temple to provide the birds extra protection, enabling them to breed more quickly and securely.
Our team constantly monitor the starling population, recording their spread, numbers, breeding cycle, choice of food and habitat. And to increase genetic diversity, we collaborate with other birds breeders to release at least 10 other Bali starlings each year.
The Bali starling conversation project and bird sanctuary have the backing of every village on the islands. They help us protect the birds and keep them safe from poachers.
You can help support this work today by sponsoring a nest box. If you would like to go a step further and adopt a Bali starling, helping fund its rehabilitation and release, please email us at info@fnpf.or