Bali Myna
Leucopsar rothschildi
Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
Overview
The Bali myna, also known as Rothschild's mynah, Bali starling, or Bali mynah, locally known as jalak Bali, is a medium-sized, stocky myna native to northeast Bali in Indonesia. It is 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 brown and yellow bill. Both sexes are similar. It is critically endangered and in 2020, fewer than 50 adults were assumed to exist in the wild.
The Bali myna faces severe population decline primarily due to illegal capture for the cagebird trade, which has devastated wild populations since the 1960s. Habitat destruction through deforestation and agricultural conversion has eliminated much of its native dry forest habitat on Bali. Introduced predators and competitors, along with limited genetic diversity from extreme population bottlenecks, continue to threaten recovery efforts despite intensive conservation breeding programs.
Habitat
The Bali myna inhabits dry deciduous forests, woodland savannas, and forest edges in lowland areas of Bali, particularly favoring areas with large trees for nesting and open grasslands for foraging. It requires mature trees with natural cavities for breeding and is now largely restricted to Bali Barat National Park and surrounding areas.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in STURNIDAE
Threatened in Indonesia
Frequently asked questions
Why is Bali Myna classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Bali Myna live?
What are the main threats to Bali Myna?
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