<< Previous Next >>

391. The rarest bird in the world


391. The rarest bird in the world
Photo Information
Copyright: Radu Xplorator (Xplorator) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 659 W: 57 N: 1502] (7679)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon CP 8800
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 1, Mynas [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-10-02 3:37
Viewed: 13100
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Photo no. 391
This is the Balinese starling, arguably the rarest bird in the world. This is not a Zoo shot, the photo was taken by me inside Bali Barat National Park at the Bali Starling breeding center, where government and WWF is making desperate efforts in protecting this specie. Main reason why this is the most critically endangered bird in the world is her looks & songs, yes, captured as pets where they do not adapt nor reproduce. On a range of less then 40 square kilometers inside the West Bali National PArk is where the last hope remains, in a breeding center completely barbwired and electrically fenced, guarded by soldiers, yes, soldiers with real machine guns! Reason: the price of a Bali Starling is the average salary of an entire Indonesian family for five years Ive been told, more like her weight in gold! The center is optimistically planning on releasing 106 birds this year, 165 next year and over two hundred from then on but for now less than fourty live in the wild !
The Bali Starling Leucopsar rothschildi or in Indonesian jalak bali also known as Rothschild’s Mynah or Bali Myna is a medium-sized, up to 25cm long, stocky myna, almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, black tips on the wing and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes and a yellow bill.

This rare bird, Bali's only endemic species, was discovered in 1910. In 1991, the Bali Starling was designated the faunal symbol for Bali.

The scientific name commemorates the British ornithologist Lord Rothschild.

It is critically endangered, with a population in the wild of six in 2001. The last stronghold of Bali Starling is at Bali Barat National Park. About 1,000 are believed to survive in captivity. Its decline towards extinction has been caused by the urbanization of the island and by illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade.
cataclysta, greenpinkorange, radz, Leace, manyee, TheMystic, shirgold, jrubiocasado, mlines has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To greenpinkorange: cropping to the leftXplorator 1 10-02 03:55
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi Radu
Beautifull photo and fantastic very interesting note.
Thanks
Krzysztof

Hello.
How sad whenever i hear of animals near to extinction. It's quite an interesting bird, i've never seen it before. Nice picture but perhaps cropping out the left log would look nicer?
Thanks for sharing such information with us.
Steph

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 616] (3404)
  • [2006-10-02 5:02]

Hi Radu
this nice nice shot,and thanks for sharing,info is great..

Molto bella peccato la rete e il bastone dietro. Bravo. ciao gigicacco

thanks for showing us this rarity, sad story, Ori

So this one is the rarest post also! i love its pose, great moment you captured! Very nice shot of this punk or cyberpunk!
Greetings my friend,
Ersin

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3102 W: 233 N: 6304] (21553)
  • [2006-10-03 2:05]

A beautiful bird, and very informative notes, Radu.
Thank you for sharing this rare species with us.
What an amazing story of a valiant fight against extinction.
I hope they make it.
Very sharp image... Shows the bird very well.
The closest look most of us would ever get.
TFS. : )

Worth a National Geographic shot, one would think. Magnificient detail and great pose, as if you talked him into it...
Cheers
Otto

Hi Radu
Great photo and notes. Colour of bird perfect.
Regards.
Jorge

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF