The starling family includes some exceptionally beautiful species—one is even so striking that it’s called the Superb Starling. And yet, even in that family, the Bali myna probably takes the cake. Perhaps because its numbers are so few, spotting one feels even more special. On my recent trip, I would have been fairly satisfied just seeing a Bali myna, but my visit to West Bali National Park turned up many lifers for me.
Wednesday, 1st October, 2025
Bali - 2025
From West Bali National Park
Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi)
Bali Myna is critically endangered with fewer than a hundred left in the wild and the West Bali National Park is probably the last place where you can see them in the wild. You would think that a noisy bird with an almost entirely white plumage is easy to spot, but when in the canopy this bird likes like just a gap in the foliage and is remarkably well-camouflaged.
Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)
Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata)
Ornate Sunbird (Cinnyris ornatus)
Olive-backed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sepium)
Javan Plover (Anarhynchus javanicu)
White-shouldered Triller (Lalage sueurii)
Lineated Barbet (Psilopogon lineatus)
From the rainforest
Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)
Ornate Sunbird (Cinnyris ornatus)
Green Junglefowl (Gallus varius)
