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| Common Name: | Bali Starling | Family: | Sturnidae |
| Latin Name: | Leucopsar rothschildi | Diet: | Insectivore |
| Type: | Bird | Habitat: | Tropical Rainforests |
| Native To: | Asia | Social Unit: | Group |
| IUCN Red List Status: | Critically Endangered |
Bali Starlings at Edinburgh Zoo
We currently have four Bali starlings. Our adult male hatched in July 1992 and came to us from Jersey Zoo in June 1993. While our female arrived in May 2009 from Paris Jardin du Plantes where she hatched in June 2008. They have two female chicks hatched in 2010.
Where it can be found At Edinburgh Zoo
Our Bali starlings can be found in the west section of the Zoo on the path running along the top of the rhino enclosure.
Bali Starlings in the wild
As the name suggests, the Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) is endemic to Bali, Indonesia. Adopted as their national bird, it is widely regarded as the most beautiful of the mynah family. At approximately 25cm long, they are identifiable by their pure white feathers and the blue skin around their eyes. Both sexes are familiar in appearance.
Bali starlings are found in the tropical forests of Bali, under the cover of treetops. They only come down to ground for water, which supplements their diet of fruit and insects. They usually live in large flocks, although during the breeding season pairs tend to act aggressively towards one another. When courting, behaviour displayed includes shrieking and head bobbing movements.
They will lay three or four eggs, turquoise in colour, which will hatch after two weeks. Bali starlings can live up to five years in the wild, rising to 15 years in captivity.
Bali starling’s population has declined rapidly over the past few decades. Falling victim to the illegal trapping for the caged bird trade and industrialisation, these birds have become incredibly close to extinction in the wild - it has been estimated that there are fewer than 50 of them left.
Breeding programme category: EEP
IUCN Red List category: Critically endangered
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