Three critically endangered Bali Mynahs were hatched at the Zoo in 2024!

Next time you visit the Zoo be sure to watch for our Bali Mynah’s in the Asia Forest aviary. Three babies were born at the Zoo in 2024 including two just last month in December. Our breeding pair, Noel and Khan’s were successful in bringing into the world a male and female chick on December 16 and 17 and a female chick on September 8.

Two of our December chicks fledged on Monday, January 13

Here is our Daily Keeper Report for January 10

“2.2 Bali Mynah 201745 [Khan], 202607 [Chick 2], 202536 [Noelle], 202606 [Chick 1] – Khan and Noelle were observed vocalizing when bringing worms into the nest box. Chick 1 and Chick 2 heard vocalizing with the entry of either Khan or Noelle. In the afternoon keeper heard from the service hallway a long vocalization/song from either Noelle or Khan. When keeper looked through the door window both birds had their feathers up like they were before Chick 1 and Chick 2 were laid. At 14:33 keeper noticed one of the chick’s head poking out of the nest box #1. The head was white with an orangish beak. Khan and Noelle displayed courtship behaviors in the afternoon, Khan did a long song, and then Khan began preening Noelle. The chick at around 15:00 was standing on the rim of the nest box and the other chick’s head could be seen peeking over the rim. ” I was also able to get a picture of one of the chicks this afternoon peaking out of the nest box. 

The Bali Mynah is listed as a critically endangered species where the population up until recently has been rapidly declining.  In 2001, the population was at its lowest point with only six individuals.  Despite efforts to reintroduce them to the wild almost as soon as they were released they were captured for the illegal pet trade.   Conservationists have not given up and most recently launched a new effort at West Bali National Park.  Over the past decade the park has been helping to save the species by heading up a captive breeding program. Recent information posted online by birdwatchers at the park say there are now over 400 birds living there.

West Bali National Park was established in 1941 with the goal of saving the Bali Tiger. Unfortunately the tiger was declared extinct in the 1950s. The Zoo’s veterinarian, Dr. Victoria Milne visited Indonesia and West Bali National Park in June, 2014 to check out the Bali Mynah breeding and recovery programs, as well as community based ecotourism.

Photos
Top by Alex Berger, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Feature by Jonathan Kriz, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Cover by cover Marc Emond, Wikimedia Creative Commons