Bali starling
Leucopsar rothschildi
The Bali starling is the national bird of Bali. However, it is now only found in the Bali Barat National Park where the birds have to be guarded by armed personnel. The Bali starling is one of the rarest birds in the world. It can measure up to 25 centimetres long and it can weight up to 90 grams.
This stunning bird was only discovered in 1912 by Baron Rothschild (which is why it is sometimes referred to as the Rothschild’s mynah or the Bali mynah). However, over the last 100 years the Bali starling has been hunted to near extinction. As well as suffering from man’s interference with its habitat, it has also been widely trapped as a cage bird. In 2001 there were only six birds left in the wild, but after conservation efforts this number has increased. However, the population is still very low.
IUCN Status
For more info on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org.
Fun fact
There were once only six Bali starlings left in the wild.
Animal class
Bird
Conservation status
Bali starlings are critically endangered facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. The main threats are habitat destruction, poaching and the illegal bird trade.
Habitat
Forest – Bali starling are only found in the Bali Barat National Park in Bali, Indonesia.
Population
In 2001 there were only six of these birds left in the wild. The Bali starling population is decreasing, with fewer than 50 left in the wild.
Diet
Omnivore – eats fruit, insects, worms and small reptiles.