Also known as the Bali myna, Rothschild's mynah, or locally as jalak putih, the Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) is Bali's only endemic bird.

It is striking white in colour, with black tips to the wings and tail, and a distinctive bright blue mask. It breeds readily in captivity, and is greatly valued as a caged bird, but in its natural environment it is bordering on extinction.

The wild population has been estimated to be as low as 25, well the number needed for sustainable reproduction, although experts believe that perhaps several hundred are successfully breeding in captivity around the world.

The internationally supported Bali Starling Project is attempting to rebuild the population by re-introducing captive birds to the wild. At the Bali Starling Pre-Release Centre, formerly caged birds are introduced to the food sources of the natural environment and encouraged to nest in native trees before being released around Taman Nasional Bali Barat national park.

It's a difficult process, and many attempts have been sadly unsuccessful: birds are often killed by predatory falcons and poachers. The starlings are also constantly disadvantaged by a reduced habitat caused by development, and there are precious few resources to protect the birds.

While it is possible to visit the Pre-Release Centre for much of the year, the areas where the birds are most likely to be seen are not normally open to visitors, especially cluring the breeding season when they congregate on Prapat Agung peninsula. Your chances of spotting a Bali starling in the wild are extremely low; it is best to see thern in captivity. The Taman Burung Bali Bird Park (Ubud) also has a captive-breeding programme.

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