Endangered Species Spotlight: Bali Starling

A few days ago, I was visiting the Chattanooga Zoo with my three-year-old. She pointed out a pair of beautiful "doves" and I gave them a brief glance. They seemed like a sideshow-- some random, common exotic animal placed on display to fill empty space. It wasn't until I read the plaque near the birds' enclosure that I found out how rare and remarkable they really are. Zoo visitors, including myself, tend use zoo animals as a rotating wallpaper while they engage in other conversations and distractions. I would guess that only one out of fifty patrons have taken the time to find out about the birds they were observing.

As I found out, the birds that my daughter noticed were Bali starlings, also known as Bali mynas or Rothschild's mynas. This critically endangered species teeters on the brink of extinction, with only a handful of individual birds surviving in the wild. Without extremely diligent conservation efforts, the Bali starling is bound to suffer the same morbid fate as other extinct and forgotten birds, such as the Eskimo curlew, the passenger pigeon, and the ivory-billed woodpecker.

Why the Bali Starling is Remarkable

To most people, the Bali starling might seem little different than any other species of bird. However, it is remarkable for a number of reasons. On its native island of Bali, it is the only endemic vertebrate still living. Aside from plants and bugs, there are no other species found only on the island of Bali. As such, it is a rare and important symbol of the island's vanishing history and culture; the island may soon be homogenized to be nearly identical to any other region of the world. The world simply can't stand to lose this important and beautiful bird.

What Happened to the Bali Starling

Animal lovers are, tragically, often the worst enemies of wild animals. Hundreds of Bali starlings have been illegally captured in the wild and sold as exotic pets for people who (in general) adore beautiful birds. Because Bali is such a small island, it never held a large population of its endemic starlings, so the population declined sharply and dramatically. Between 1988 and 1994, the wild population went from mildly threatened to critically endangered-- shrinking to just 24 individuals in 1994. That's right: only two dozen birds comprised the entire wild population of Bali starlings.

How We're Fixing Our Mistakes

Serious problems need serious answers, and, fortunately, the people of Bali and of world conservation organizations are taking the Bali myna's plight very seriously. However, it still won't be enough to save the species unless our conservation measures escalate and continue. A captive breeding program exists in which breeders are required to release at least 10% of their captive population into Bali, and to sell or give the remaining birds to zoos and other conservation organizations. Although many birds have been released into the wild, those in the wild continue to suffer because of illegal capture and poaching. In time, the Bali starling may make a recovery.

What You Can Do

If you care about Bali starlings, don't buy one as a pet, even if you have intentions of breeding them. The few remaining Bali starlings belong in the hands of experienced zoologists who are part of the Association of Starling Conservationists breeding "loan" program. If a zoo in your area has Bali starlings and is part of a conservation program, consider making a direct donation to support the well-being of the birds in their care. Also consider donating to Defenders of Wildlife or another nonprofit organization working to protect critically endangered species. Perhaps most importantly, help to spread awareness about the bird and its plight. With adequate grassroots awareness, we may be able to bring this species back from the brink.

The IUCN Red List offers complete information about the Bali myna.