Bali starling

Scientific Name: Leucopsar rothschildi Animal Type: Bird Location: The island of Bali in Indonesia. Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Profile

 

The extraordinary beauty of the Bali starling has been a major factor in driving it to the brink of extinction – its pure white plumage and blue streak across the eye have made it irresistible to collectors. Down to less than ten birds in the wild, attempts to reintroduce captive-bred birds to bolster the population have failed as poachers working for the illegal pet trade immediately target the new arrivals.

Education programmes in Bali are now trying to tackle the problem. Meanwhile, a captive assurance or ‘safety-net’ population of about 1000 birds has been established. Birds bred in Jersey are part of this international programme, which aims to keep the species going until the severe threats it faces in the wild can be addressed.

In Jersey we mimic the social behaviour of wild Bali starlings by keeping them in flocks in the winter, but allowing them to form pairs in the breeding season. Studies of their breeding behaviour using tiny cameras in their nestboxes have helped us improve our management techniques.

Other Critically Endangered Animals Alaotran gentle lemur Black lion tamarin Blue iguana Blue-crowned laughing thrush Echo parakeet Floreana mockingbird Madagascar pochard Mangrove finch Mauritius fody Mauritius olive white-eye Montserrat oriole Mountain chicken Northern bald ibis Pied tamarin Ploughshare tortoise Pygmy hog Radiated tortoise Red-ruffed lemur Rodrigues fruit bat Sumatran orangutan Utila spiny-tailed iguana White-footed tamarin