FROM a young age, Balinese painter Mario Blanco has always loved birds. At the renowned Antonio Blanco Museum in Ubud, named after his legendary father, Mario raises 80 Bali jalak (also curik) or starlings and other rare birds, much to the admiration of his guests. "I try to save rare birds that have not been declared endangered by the government," he said.

Blanco is one of the few people in the community who holds a government-approved license to