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 1999, the team at Begawan Foundation has nurtured and reared a flock of critically endangered Bali Starlings in its breeding enclosures.

Over more than 24 years, the Foundation has 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 is 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 Gita is one of the most meticulously designed breeding centres on the island. In the village of Melinggih Kelod since 2018, and in the village of Sibang before that, the enclosures were designed by a veterinarian. Each enclosure is partially shaded to protect from rain and sunlight, and has a food bowl, watering bowl, bathing station, nest box, warming infrared light, and perches for the birds. Many enclosures have elements such as trees and nesting plants, to imitate the Bali Starlings’ natural habitat.

Begawan’s captive flock of about 45 birds are separated into three enclosures. Quarantine enclosures house birds that have arrived from outside sources or that need medical attention. Once these birds have been screened for diseases, they are allowed to socialise with the flock to strengthen breeding lines. If the birds are from Begawan’s fostering program, raised by locals in the community, they will become part of the breeding and release program.

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 is the socialisation enclosure, where birdkeepers can observe possible pairings between adult Bali Starlings. Socialization is carefully monitored, as Bali Starlings are naturally aggressive birds, and may bully smaller birds that are too weak or too juvenile to defend themselves. Birds that pair off will be placed in one of nine breeding enclosures, partially screened from viewers to allow privacy and minimise disturbances during mating and brooding periods.

Begawan’s team feeds the Bali Starlings twice a day, at 8am and 3pm. Meals consist of a mix of papaya, carrot, sprouts, and long beans; with added protein such as crickets, mealworms, or ant eggs. Birds that are mating and rearing chicks are given extra protein to increase their strength, and baby Bali Starlings are fed every few hours for the first few weeks from when they hatch if special care is needed. Apart from Bali Starlings, Begawan’s team also cares for a pair of Forsten’s Lorikeets and their offspring, as well as several Black Wing Starlings in the Centre.

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

Every year Begawan Gita aims to release 20 Bali Starlings, or 10 pairs, into selected release site. The Foundation conducts in-depth assessments of its release sites, checking the areas for the natural predators and disturbances such as smoke and noise. The sites are surveyed to ensure they have sufficient food, water, and nesting resources for the birds to thrive. Begawan’s conservation team must maintain connections to local people in the villages near its release sites. Their assistance is essential in tracking the birds’ movements, and the villagers are often first to notify the team of any incidents related to the birds’ wellbeing.

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

For one month after release, Begawan’s birdkeeper will monitor the birds twice a day. The birdkeeper may put out food in the early days until the pair can find their own food sources. When a pair of Bali Starlings shows an inclination to a particular area, the birdkeeper will look for natural holes where the birds can nest. If there are none, the birdkeeper will install a plywood nestbox, with a metal protector on the pole to prevent climbing predators from reaching the nest. After a month has passed, the birds are checked weekly, and any new Bali Starlings born in the wild are carefully monitored by the team.

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

Apart from the breeding and releasing of Bali Starlings, Begawan has also actively raised awareness for the importance of conservation among the island’s residents and visitors.

The Foundation developed a 10-week conservation course, using the Bali Starling as a focal point. The team from Begawan spent one hour each week with the students, teaching environmental preservation and empathy for animals through hands-on activities. The Foundation delivered the course to 2,500 students from 50 classes in 25 schools, impressing in these young minds the value of conservation.

Begawan Foundation held community workshops in villages where its Bali Starlings were released, educating more than 300 people about the plight of the Bali Starling and enlisting villagers’ support in protecting the birds in their neighborhoods. The organisation also conducted extensive training in professional breeding and care for Bali Starlings at Base Bali, and Bali Safari and Marine Park.

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

At Begawan Guru, the Foundation’s community education centre, the curriculum highlights species preservation, environmental conservation and advocacy for the 45 students attending the program, all from nearby villages in Melinggih Kelod. In 2022, Begawan launched tours of its breeding centre and release site, for students of all ages. These guided experiences carry the story of the Bali Starling to a wide audience from all over the world.

Begawan’s long-standing efforts to protect the Bali Starlings were recognized in 2015 by the Tri Hita Karuna Nugraha awarding committee, which honours outstanding organisations working to enhance Balinese values and society. Begawan Gita welcomes visitors to its breeding centre and release site, just 20 minutes from Ubud. To find out more or book a tour, contact us at hello@begawan.org