Bali Starling
With blue skin, these are an unusual bird available to view in the Bird Garden
Bird Types: Perching BirdsThrush
Scientific Name: Leucopsar rothschildi
IUCN World Conservation Status: CRITICAL
Threats in the Wild: Destruction of habitat, biological, hunting and pet trade
This spectacular starling is the national bird of Bali and has never been common.
When first discovered in the early 1900s, its numbers were estimated to be only 1000 individuals. In 1990, numbers fell to just 15 birds in the wild. By 2001, just 6 birds were known.
The huge decline has been driven by illegal trapping in response to worldwide demand for the cage-bird trade. Conservation efforts have been hampered by the theft of captive breeding populations.
Where in the World
The Bali Starling is native to the Island of Bali, Indonesia.
Habitiat
This bird is found in dry, open lowland forests.
Diet
This starling is omnivorous which means they like seeds, fruit and insects. Larger fruits such as figs and papaya are sometimes consumed.
Lifecycle
In the breeding season (usually October and November) the Bali starling uses cavities excavated and vacated by other birds to build their nests. They will also nest in sugar palm, coconut and fig trees.