Bali Starling

The Bali Starling, Leucopsar rothschildi, also known as Rothschild’s Mynah, Bali Myna or Bali Mynah is a medium-sized (up to 25cm long), stocky myna, almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs and a yellow bill. Both sexes are similar.
The Bali Starling is critically endangered, hovering immediately above extinction in the wild for several years now (BirdLife International 2006). The last stronghold of the species is at Bali Barat National Park; about 1,000 individuals are believed to be held in captivity legally. In fact, the Bali Starling is so much in danger that that national park has been set up just for the Bali Starling's survival. The wild population was at an all-time low of just 6 birds in 2001, after the late-1990s wild population of 3-4 dozen was reduced by poachers for the illegal pet trade.

Its decline towards extinction has been caused by the urbanization of the island and by illegal trapping for the caged-bird trade; indeed, the number of captive birds bought on black market is estimated to be twice the number of legally-acquired individuals in the captive breeding program. The Bali Starling is listed in Appendix I of CITES. Trade even in captive-bred specimens is strictly regulated and the species is not generally available legally to private individuals. However, experienced aviculturalists may become affiliated with the captive-breeding program, allowing them to legally keep this species.

The Bali Starling Conservation Project was Begawan Foundation's first initiative, commencing when the Foundation purchased two pairs of birds from the aviaries of Mr Nick Wileman, a successful and knowledgeable breeder living near London, and brought them “home” to Bali on 24th June 1999.
The Foundation developed a successful breeding programme with excellent facilities and expert supervision by Bali’s leading avian veterinarian, Drh I. G. N. Bayu Wirayudha. By November 2005, the Foundation’s captive population had grown from four birds, returned to Bali from UK, to 97 birds. In July 2006, the first 25 micro-chipped birds were released into the wild on Nusa Penida, a small island south of mainland Bali. Further releases followed and, by end of August 2009, a total of 65 birds had been released and 62 of their offspring were known to have survived and were flying free.

In 2005, most of the birds, along with their cages, were moved from Begawan Giri Estate to a newly established bird sanctuary, on Nusa Penida, a small island south of mainland Bali. 



Drh I. G. N. Bayu Wirayudha had already begun to prepare for the arrival of the birds and the release of the first batch of them on Nusa Penida a year earlier. One of his most important tasks was to educate local villagers about the importance of their survival. In April 2006, as a result of being approached by FNPF over a period of two years, the Nusa Penida traditional council, which represents 35 villages, unanimously agreed to protect all the birds on the island by passing a local traditional law (Hukum Adat) to protect them. Anyone caught harming them would face both fines and ostracism by the community. This allowed Nusa Penida to be gazetted as a Bird Sanctuary, now operated by FNPF.

Meanwhile, the birds being prepared for release demonstrated excellent flying skills. Unpeeled and uncut fruit was placed in different areas of their socialisation cage daily. They were also able to supplement their diet by catching insects that were attracted into the cage by a small light. 

Sprinklers placed on top of the cage dripped water onto leaves inside, and the birds became accustomed to drinking it in order to maximise their water intake at certain times when they were not given any water. They also learned how to get moisture from watery foods and trees, such as the banana palm, and how to find water in holes in trees and from items such as old shells on the ground. To help them identify potential predators, the birds were threatened with large artificial birds, fake snakes, and human beings who were not their keepers.



Finally, on July 10th, 2006, 25 micro-chipped birds were released into the wild during a ceremony that involved local villagers, temples and provincial and local government officials. Microchips were supplied by Theo Pagel, Director of the Cologne Zoo in Germany.

Within two weeks of their release, several birds had paired up and were observed bringing nesting materials to a variety of local trees, ficus, sugar palms and coconuts. Their first eggs had hatched by September 10th, and on September 28th, three birds instead of two were observed on the nesting tree. The first Bali Starlings to be released into the wild had started a family!

Twelve more birds were released on December 12th, 2006, and this flock was soon joined by two young birds that were the offspring of birds from the first release. 

On April 28th, 2007, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the Republic of Indonesia and First Lady Kristiani Herawati released a further 12 birds when they visited Nusa Penida to celebrate the launch of a ferry service to mainland Bali.

Further official recognition of the Programme came during a visit to Nusa Penida on August 25th by the Indonesian Forestry Minister M. S. Kaban and Dr Ir Tonny Suhartono, the Director General for Forestry Preservation and Nature Conservation. These two dignitaries officially announced that the island was a suitable site for further releases of Bali Starlings.

The birds, originally released in just three sites, have spread far and wide around the island. As of August 2009, a total of 65 birds have been released from the captive breeding cages. With thirteen chicks being hatched so far in the wild in 2009, the total number of Bali Starling chicks hatched and fledged by the end of August, since the inception of the release programme in 2006, is 62.

The Foundation continues to monitor and observe the birds in the wild, tracking where the birds nest and breed, ensuring that each bird released or born is followed throughout its life. This important role ensures that any future releases will be made with planned knowledge of how the bird survives in the wild, what food is required, and how it breeds.