Paradox of the Bali Starling (Wheeler, 2009)
The Paradox of the Bali Starling.
Catherine Wheeler on Bali's most fabled and highly-prized mascot
Bali's most famous bird is also its most elusive. The species is highly endangered. But the rarity of the Bali starling in its own territory has been contrived to maintain an artificially high price. The cost of these birds is higher inside Indonesia than anywhere else, and breeding permits here are almost impossible to obtain.