Bali starling

Bali starling Leucopsar rothschildi (EEP)

ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilySturnidae
Size25cm
Weight90-100g
Incubation14 days
Eggs2-3
Life-span25 years in zoos
Diet
omnivorous (fruit, insects, grains)

Habitat
monsoon forest and acacia savannahs

Range
north-west Bali, Indonesia


Discovered in 1911, the Bali starling is endemic to the island for which it is named. This bird is highly endangered in its natural habitat. Indeed, the illegal trade in caged birds has caused a dramatic fall in numbers: in 1990, there were only 15 left in the wild.
 
Conservation measures together with reintroductions enabled by successful breeding projects in zoos have brought the number of birds in the Bali Barat National Park up to about 50. But sadly, continued hunting means that the population remains fragile.




Status in the wild (Source: IUCN)

  • Not evaluated
    NE
  • Data deficient
    DD
  • Least concern
    LC
  • Near threatened
    NT
  • Vulnerable
    VU
  • Endangered
    EN
  •  Critically endangered
    CR
  • Extinct in the wild
    EW
  • Extinct
    EX

In the zoo