Begawan’s first initiative, the Bali Starling Conservation Program, was launched in 1999 with the goal of saving this critically endangered bird from extinction.
Mitchell’s Lorikeet
Begawan has been working to conserve Mitchell’s Lorikeets, native to both Lombok and Bali, now considered critically endangered in both places.
The Experience
Visit Begawan Breeding and Release Centre
Immerse yourself in meeting the critically endangered Bali Starling!
Enjoy a unique outdoor activity observing conserved and free-flying Bali Starlings at a close distance. Get to know about the program’s history and observe the different enclosures – quarantine enclosures cater to sick or new birds, socialisation enclosures are where the birds can select their partners, and private breeding enclosures each house pair. Learn about their breeding cycles, the preparation for nest making, the role of the parent feeding their young, and the fledging of young chicks.
Prepare bird food with our Bird Keeper while keeping an eye on the site’s free-flying pair of Starlings, who regard the breeding centre as their own personal home. Visit Begawan’s community breeders and see our free-flying Bali Starlings, released at their home compounds. Through this visit, you will have a new understanding of this beautiful species and Begawan’s long-established efforts to conserve them. You may visit us at the Breeding and Release Centre by appointment.
Begawan Bird Walk
Begawan Bird Walk and Visit Breeding and Release Centre
Join our bird walk to sight the critically endangered Bali Starling flying freely in the wild, then observe this exotic bird at a close distance!
Start the adventure with an early morning relaxing walk along beautiful rice fields in our village. While walking around the track, you will sight the critically endangered Bali Starling, Bali’s iconic mascot, flying free in our release sites. The local community protects these birds through “awig-awig” local customary law. You can also observe the Starling’s nest boxes attached to trees and our habituation enclosure nearby. Besides Bali Starling, almost 40 bird species are observed in our village, some of which have near-threatened and vulnerable conservation status. Timing matters! We suggest early morning (7 AM) to do this activity.
After a relaxing bird walk, sighting birds from afar away, continue the journey to Begawan Breeding Centre for Bali Starling. You can observe this precious bird at a close distance. Get to know about the program’s history and observe the different enclosures. From this experience, you can also prepare bird food with our Bird Keeper. Having this experience, you will have a new understanding of this beautiful species and Begawan’s long-established efforts to conserve them.
This experience package is available by appointment.