BEGAWAN GITA

Saving the critically endangered Bali Starling through conservation

A photo of Bali Starlings perched on a nest box, highlighting the Begawan Foundation's efforts to protect and restore their population.

Every day without fail since the commencement of the breeding programme in 1999, the team at Begawan nurtured and reared a flock of critically endangered Bali Starlings in its breeding enclosures.

The Foundation led a pioneering conservation program aimed at restoring the population of Bali Starlings in the wild. The organisation’s work to save the Bali Starling was done not only within the breeding centre, but in local schools, government offices, wildlife parks, and rural villages on the island of Bali.

Inside the Breeding Centre

Begawan was one of the most meticulously designed breeding centres on the island., Located in the village of Melinggih Kelod from 1999 to 2004 and again from 2017, the enclosures were professionally designed by a veterinarian. Each enclosure was partially shaded to protect the birds from rain and sunlight and included food and water bowls, bathing stations, nest boxes, warming infrared lights, and perches. Many enclosures also featured trees and nesting plants to replicate the Bali Starling’s natural habitat.

Begawan’s captive flock was housed across three types of enclosures. Quarantine enclosures accommodated birds arriving from outside sources or requiring medical attention. After disease screening, these birds were introduced to the flock to strengthen breeding lines. Three Bali Starlings were imported from Wildlife Reserves in Singapore, and 20 from the European Zoo Association to pair with Begawan’s own flock and improve the bloodlines. Birds from Begawan’s fostering programme, raised by local community members, became part of the breeding and release programme.

A close-up of a Bali Starling's leg with a metal band and green tag, being held by a researcher at Begawan Gita.

A view of the Begawan Gita breeding center, showcasing the spacious enclosures designed to mimic the natural habitat of Bali Starlings.

The largest enclosure at Begawan Gita was the socialisation enclosure, where birdkeepers observed possible pairings between adult Bali Starlings. Socialisation was carefully monitored, as Bali Starlings are naturally aggressive birds and can attack smaller or weaker individuals. Birds that paired were moved to one of nine breeding enclosures, which were partially screened to provide privacy and minimise disturbances during mating and brooding periods.

Begawan’s team fed the Bali Starlings twice daily, at 8am and 3pm. Meals consisted of papaya, carrot, sprouts, and long beans, with added protein from crickets, mealworms, or ant eggs. Birds that were mating and rearing chicks received additional protein to support their strength, while baby Bali Starlings requiring special care were handfed every few hours during their first weeks after hatching.

In addition to Bali Starlings, Begawan’s team cared for both Mitchell’s and Forsten’s Lorikeets and their offspring, as well as Black Wing Starlings.

A person's hands placing a mixture of fruits and insects into small bowls for Bali Starlings at the Begawan Gita breeding center.

Pre- and post-release care

Each year, Begawan Gita aimed to release a number of Bali Starlings into selected release sites. The Foundation conducted in-depth assessments of potential release areas, checking for natural predators and disturbances. Sites were surveyed to ensure they provided sufficient food, water, and nesting resources for the birds to thrive.

A person carefully tending to a young Bali Starling chick in a nest box at the Begawan Gita breeding center.

A nest box surrounded by a protective net, providing a secure breeding site for Bali Starlings in their natural habitat.

Long before any pairs were released, the conservation team tagged newly hatched Bali Starlings with metal rings around their legs. These metal rings allowed the birdkeeper to identify each bird and be able to tell the birds reared in the Centre apart from those born in the wild. The rings were slipped over the birds’ claws at about 10 days old, and the ID number was recorded in the program’s studbook. All births and deaths have been reported to BKSDA (Natural Resource Conservation Centre). Birds chosen for release were also microchipped under the skin, using chips purchased from Trovan Microchips Australia, to enable the Begawan Gita team to track them if they were poached.

For one month after release, Begawan’s birdkeeper monitored the birds twice a day. The birdkeeper put out food in the early days after release until the pair was able to find its own food sources. When a pair of Bali Starlings showed an inclination to a particular area, the birdkeeper looked for natural holes where the birds would be able to nest. If there were none, the birdkeeper installed a plywood nestbox, with a metal protector on the pole to prevent climbing predators from reaching the nest. After a month had passed, the birds were checked weekly, and any new Bali Starlings born in the wild would be carefully monitored by the team.

Begawan Biji’s conservation team now maintains strong connections with local communities near release sites. Their support is essential in tracking the birds’ movements, and villagers were often the first to notify the team of any incidents affecting the birds’ wellbeing. Data is still recorded with information being conveyed to the tour leader who knows where released Bali Starlings may be seen.

A Bali Starling perched on a tree trunk, with a clear blue sky in the background.

Two photographers taking pictures of the Bali Starlings from afar

Education for communities

Beyond breeding and releasing Bali Starlings, Begawan actively raised awareness of the importance of conservation among Bali’s residents and visitors. The Foundation developed a 10-week conservation course centred on the Bali Starling. Each week, the Begawan team spent one hour with students, teaching environmental preservation and empathy for animals through hands-on activities. The programme reached 2,500 students across 50 classes in 25 schools, inspiring young people to value conservation. Begawan Foundation also held community workshops in villages where Bali Starlings were released, educating more than 300 people about the species’ plight and gaining local support for protecting the birds. Begawan hosted many school trips and educational visits, highlighting the importance of conservation for future generations.

Begawan’s long-standing efforts to protect the Bali Starling were recognised in 2015 by the Tri Hita Karana Nugraha awarding committee, which honours outstanding organisations working to strengthen Balinese values and society.

A pair of Bali Starlings perched on a birdhouse, showcasing the success of conservation efforts.

In 2022, Begawan launched tours of its breeding centre and release site for visitors of all ages. These guided experiences shared the story of the Bali Starling with audiences from around the world.

Tour visitors and restaurant guests may now see released Bali Starlings at Begawan Biji, in Bayad, where several Bali Starlings have been released. These pairs have nested, bred offspring and taken up residence in the fields around the restaurant. Both pairs and groups may be seen at a variety of nearby sites – Banjar Begawan, Banjar Tibekauh, Banjar Bayad, and Banjar Paneca in Melinggih Kelod and near the town of Payangan.