New Members of One of the World’s Rarest Bird Species

If you’ve seen the news surrounding Zoo Atlanta, you know it has been buzzing about a certain pair of black-and-white bears recently. Yes, these fuzzy new additions are cute and exciting, but personally I’m even more excited about a certain black, white, and BLUE bird hatching here at the Zoo: the critically endangered Bali myna starling.

These gorgeous birds are covered in snow white plumage, tipped with black on the wings and tail, and sport electric blue patches of skin around the eyes. Both sexes have long, feathery crests on their heads, though the males’ can be longer than the females’ at times. Unfortunately, this beautiful coloration and plumage, as well as their intricate song and ability to mimic sounds (sometimes even words!), make these birds a hot commodity in the pet trade.

Found solely in one small region of Bali, an island that is smaller than the size of Rhode Island, Bali mynas were already a rare species. With the pressures of illegal poaching for the pet trade, their already small population has been decimated, and in 2001 hit a critical low of only six individuals. Miraculously, through intense conservation efforts such as breeding and reintroduction as well as habitat protection, the Bali myna is slowly on the road to recovery. In the most recent population survey of 2025, it is estimated that there are about 600 Bali mynas living in the wild. That’s 100 times more than in 2001!

Despite this conservation success, wild Bali mynas still face the daily threat of illegal poaching for the pet trade, as well as an ever-shrinking habitat due to human encroachment. However, even with these continuing roadblocks, conservationists and AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums refuse to stop fighting for this little black, white, and blue starling’s survival. Zoo Atlanta currently houses several Bali mynas, and this year has had six chicks hatch under breeding recommendations from the Bali myna Species Survival Plan (SSP). So next time you come to visit, take a minute to check out the Bali mynas. Wouldn’t it be fun to brag about seeing one of the rarest birds in the world?

(photo: Bird Team)

Katherine B.
Senior Keeper, Birds