Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The Bali Starling

The Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi), also known as Rothschild’s Mynah, Bali Myna, or Bali Mynah, locally known as Jalak Bali, is a medium-sized (up to 25 cm 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.

Behavior
In its natural habitat however it is far less conspicuous, using tree tops for cover and–unlike other starlings usually coming to the ground only to drink; this would seem to be an adaptation to the fact that it is instantly noticeable to predators when out in the open. The Bali mynah often gathers in groups to better locate food and watch out for predators.

Bali Starling breeding program
A Breeding loan involves 12 breeders who each received 15 male and 15 female from the association of Starling Conservationists from Bogor, West Java. As a collateral every breeder should put up a cow in case all the birds died. The breeders are obliged to release 10 percent of the brood into the national park and the rest can be sold off privately.
Photo Gallery