Reviving Bali's Dancing Birds

Two jalak bali birds (starlingLeucopsar rothschildi) were perched on a cashew tree in a garden in Ped village, Nusa Penida, Bali. Though just 15 centimeters tall, the birds could be clearly seen in the dense foliage. Their clean white feathers contrasted with the green leaves. Black strips adorned their wings and tails. Their blue eyes seemed like those of a mask. "The jalak bali birds are hunted for their beautiful feathers. They can fetch Rp50 million a bird," said Sudariyanto, a researcher at Gajah Mada University.

After vanishing in 2004, the jalak bali has returned to Nusa Penida, a 200-square-kilometer island southeast of Bali. Finding them can be difficult, the way they hide among the trees, but in Ped the birds are known to frequent Puseh Temple. The temple stands on a hill from which one can see half of Nusa Penida. Jero Mangku Sujana, who lives 100 meters from the temple, said he can spot the jalak at the temple from 5am to 9am.

November 4, 2014