Bali mynah

Indonesia

Critically endangered. Bali mynahs are nearly extinct in the wild because poachers collect them for the illegal pet trade, where they are valued for their striking plumage and beautiful songs. Because of this poaching, Bali mynahs are found almost exclusively in zoos. Scientists at Lincoln Park Zoo help conserve Bali mynahs by keeping the studbook for the species. Studbooks contain the family trees of every individual animal in the zoo population. By pairing animals that are distantly related, zoo scientists can help ensure that offspring are genetically healthy. Lincoln Park Zoo participates in the Bali Mynah Species Survival Plan®, a shared conservation effort by zoos throughout the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Open forests and savanna

The Bali mynah's diet includes fruit, seeds, worms and insects.

The Bali mynah often gathers in groups to better locate food and watch out for predators. During breeding season, males attract females by calling loudly and bobbing up and down. The birds nest in tree cavities, with the female laying and incubating two-three eggs. Both males and females bring food to the nests for chicks after hatching.

Revisiting the Wild President and CEO Kevin Bell shares a new hatch for a species that's nearly extinct in the wild--and some fun photos from his field conservation work in Bali in the early 1990s.

New Chicks, New Hope President and CEO Kevin Bell shares how one of the world’s rarest bird species gets a boost with three new Bali mynah chicks at Lincoln Park Zoo.