Alternative names: Bali Starling, Rothschild's Myna
- Leucopsar rothschildi
Identification
25cm. A fairly large, white Starling. Unmistakable.
- Long white pendulous crest
- Black tips on the wings and tail
- Blue bare skin around the eyes
- Greyish legs
- Yellow bill
Sexes similar, the crest of the male is longer than that of the female. Juveniles have a much shorter crest and a smoky tinge on the back.
Distribution
Endemic to coastal north-western Bali (Bali Barat National Park), Indonesia.
Critically endangered. Only 24 birds in the wild, and maybe 1000 in captivity (2005). The release of captive birds have let grow the numbers to around 50 mature birds now.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Habitat
Open woodland with grass understorey. Seems to avoid closed forest.
Behaviour
Diet
Omnivorous. Feeds on seeds, small fruits, insects and small reptiles.
Breeding
Breeding season from January to April (rainy season on Bali). A monogamous species, possibly forming long-term pair-bonds. The nest is built from grass and twigs in a tree cavity. The two to four blue green eggs are incubated for 13-16 days by just the female, but sometimes both parents. The young fledge after 15-25 days.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Bali Myna. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Bali_Myna
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
