Talking about Bali Starling, any of us really know this species? not only seen it, but know about the beauty and the truth about our country's native animals.
The Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi), also known as Rothschild’s Mynah, Bali Starling, or Bali Mynah, locally known as Jalak Bali, is a medium-sized (up to 25 cm long). The Bali starling is one of the rarest birds in the world and relatively new to science being first described in 1912 by Walter Rothschild, from whom the bird gains its specific name. This medium-large starling is almost entirely white apart from black wing- and tail-tips and the striking, bare blue skin around the eye. The crest is long and drooping, the bill is yellow and the legs are a greyish blue.
The breeding season runs from October to November and nests are preferentially made within woodpecker holes in the trunks of trees. Males become very aggressive at this time. Males attract females by calling loudly and bobbing up and down. The female lays and incubates two-three eggs. Both males and females bring food to the nests for chicks after hatching.
Starling eggs
Outside the breeding season, Bali starlings could previously be found in flocks of up to 40 birds, often roosting in dense coconut trees. Adults feed on ants, termites and caterpillars but also on fruits and seeds.
Eat Fruits or Seeds
This rare bird was discovered in 1910 and is one of the world's most critically endangered birds. In fact, it has been hovering immediately above extinction in the wild for several years. The Bali starling has been pushed to the brink of extinction by the illegal capture of individuals to satisfy the caged-bird trade. The rarer this beautiful species became, the higher the black market price, and the wild population has consequently been decimated. Habitat destruction and competition for nest sites with the black-winged starling, which is spreading throughout the island, are further threats to survival.
.jpg)
The last stronghold of the species is at Bali Barat National Park; about 1,000 individuals are believed to be held in captivity legally. In fact, the Bali Starling is so much in danger that that national park has been set up just for the Bali Starling's survival.
The Bali Starling is listed in Appendix I of CITES. Trade even in captive-bred specimens is strictly regulated and the species is not generally available legally to private individuals. However, experienced aviculturalists may become affiliated with the captive-breeding program, allowing them to legally keep this species. Poaching and timber harvesting are among the greatest threat to the survival of the Bali Starling in the wild. Conservation initiatives enacted over the past two decades to have been ineffective in increasing this species numbers in the wild.
Now, we've seen the facts about these amazing animals. When everything was too late, we will lose one more species that have become extinct in Bali. Remember about Bali tiger? we don't want the incident happen over and over, right? Fight, help, & be the voice for them. No matter how small our efforts, it will be a great significance for their survival.
For support Bali Starling conservation click :
** http://www.fnpf.org/
** http://www.indiegogo.com/
Have a great weekend, Animal Angels..
Source :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali_Starling
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=6822
http://www.fnpf.org/what-we-do/nusa-penida-bali/wildlife/bali-starling-conservation-project
http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106006822/0
