Birds of Bali: From Sparrows to Starlings

Bali is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 300 species calling the island home. The island's unique geography and climate create a diverse range of habitats, from lush rainforests to arid savannas.

The humble sparrow is one of the most common birds in Bali, with the Javan sparrow and the house sparrow being two of the most widespread species. These birds can be found in almost every corner of the island, from urban centers to rural villages.

Sparrows are highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of environments, from urban parks to agricultural fields. They're also known for their bold and curious nature, often approaching humans in search of food.

One of the most striking features of Bali's avifauna is the presence of starlings, with the common starling being a particular favorite among birdwatchers. These birds are known for their iridescent feathers and distinctive calls, which can be heard ringing out across the island's countryside.

For more insights, see: Bali Dog

Bali is home to over 420 species of birds, from wild chickens to the rare Bali Myna. You can spot these birds in various habitats, including forests, rice fields, and even in urban areas.

The most common birds in Bali are House Swifts and Sparrows, which can be seen flying around houses or nesting in trees. They're a familiar sight in most tourist and developed areas.

Some other common bird species in Bali include the Fulvous Chested Jungle Flycatcher, Eastern Cattle Egrets, and Javan Pond Herons, which can be spotted around cows and rice fields.

Bali is home to an incredible variety of bird species, with over 420 species recorded on the island.

From the smallest sparrows to the majestic starlings, Bali's avifauna is a true treasure trove.

The Fulvous Chested Jungle Flycatcher is a small grey-brown bird that's often singing jingles alongside the forest edges.

House Swifts and Sparrows are the most common birds in Bali, in most tourist and developed areas, and can be seen flying by houses or nesting in trees.

The Yellow-Vented Bulbul is a common urban bird all across Asia that lives in parks and forests.

The Bali Myna, also known as the Bali Starling, is the only endemic species in Bali and is considered endangered, with fewer than 50 adult birds left in the wild.

This beautiful bird is a gorgeous white bird with black tips on the wings and tail and bright blue areas around the eyes.

The Black-winged Myna is another critically endangered species that can be spotted in West Bali National Park.

The island's unique location makes it a hotspot for birdwatching, with species like the Black-backed Fruit Dove and Rainbow Lorikeet being more closely linked to forms east of Wallace's Line.

The montane forest around the crater lakes at Bedugul in central Bali is a great place to spot these birds.

In contrast, the south coast of Bali is home to a variety of waders, including the Far Eastern Curlew and Asian Dowitcher.

The mudflats and mangroves along the coast can hold birds like the Great-billed Heron and Pacific Reef Egret.

Kingfishers are a rare but stunning sight in Bali, with multiple species like the Cerulean kingfisher and the Javan Kingfisher being spotted in the wild.

The Rufous-Backed Dwarf Kingfisher is a particularly elusive species, but one that's worth the effort to spot, with its bright yellow body, red-orange head, and vibrant blue, red, orange, and purple feathers.

Javan Plovers are a common sight by the water, but you're less likely to spot them on busy beaches.

They tend to inhabit more secluded sandy coasts, often around mangroves and mudflats.

Their white collar and grey-brown plumage make them relatively easy to identify.

Javan Plovers have longer legs compared to other birds of similar size.

This medium-sized bird is nocturnal, which means it's most active at night.

They love to sit on the ground, but their amazing brown camouflage makes them incredibly hard to spot.

Bee Eaters are a delight to watch, especially in Bali where you can spot the Blue-tailed and Chestnut-headed Bee-Eaters.

These birds are small and love to live on the forest edge.

They're richly colored, which makes them a treat for the eyes.

Richly colored, these birds are a pleasure to watch.

The Bali Barat National Park is a must-visit destination for any bird enthusiast. This protected area is home to a stunning array of species, including the rare endemic mynah.

The park spans over 760sqkm of diverse habitats, including forest, open savanna-type woodland, mangroves, and offshore islets. Visitors can access the park by road from Bali's capital Denpasar or by ferry from Java via Gilimanuk.

Labuan Lalang and Gilimanuk offer accommodation options for those who want to stay close to the action, while Cekik has a campsite for those who prefer to rough it.

The Bali Botanical Garden is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts alike. Located 1,300 meters above sea level, the garden boasts a cool and humid climate perfect for an afternoon stroll.

The garden is home to a variety of bird species, including the Javan Grey-throated White-eye, which has a distinctive grey neck and pale green body. These birds can be spotted year-round in the garden.

You may also catch a glimpse of the stunning Javan Whistling-Thrush, a bird with a wholly bright blue plumage. Its beauty is a sight to behold.

Other notable birds that inhabit the garden include the Blood-breasted Flowerpecker, with its beautiful red spot on its white chest, and the Yellow-throated hanging parrot.

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The Bali Barat National Park is a must-visit destination for any nature enthusiast. This park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.

The park covers over 760sqkm of forest and open savanna-type woodland, mangroves, and offshore islets. You can reach the park by road from Bali's capital Denpasar, or by ferry from Java via Gilimanuk.

Accommodation is available at Labuan Lalang and Gilimanuk, and there's also a campsite at Cekik. If you're planning to visit the park, be sure to check out the pre-release training centre with captive-bred birds of the endemic mynah.

The Prapat Agung Peninsula and the open plain of Tigal Bunder offer some of the best birding opportunities in the park. You can also arrange boat-trips to Menjangan Island from Labuan Lalang, where you can spot Beach Thick-knee, Javan Plover, and Oriental White-eye.

If you're lucky, you can spot some birds from your hotel room balcony, especially if it overlooks a garden, river, or rice paddy nearby. You'll need to get up early to catch a glimpse of these feathered friends.

The best birding sites in Bali are actually located in the West Bali National Park, mangroves, and highlands like Bedugul. These areas are home to a variety of bird species, including the Lesser Adjutant, milky stork, and Crested Serpent-Eagle.

If you don't feel like searching for birds on your own, consider booking a tour with Bali Birding Tour. Their skilled ornithologists will take you to the best spots to see Bali's famous birds, from the Sunda Scops Owl to the Starling.

If you're planning a birding adventure in Bali, you'll want to know the best places to spot these amazing creatures.

The West Bali National Park is a must-visit for any serious birdwatcher.

Getting up early can be a challenge, but if your hotel room has a balcony overlooking a garden, a river, or a rice paddy nearby, it's worth it for the chance to spot some birds.

Bedugul in the highlands is another great spot for birding, and the mangroves are also a great place to explore.

The Lesser Adjutant, milky stork, and Crested Serpent-Eagle are just a few of the larger birds you might be lucky enough to see.

If you're looking for a guided birding experience, consider joining a tour with a skilled ornithologist.

Bali Birding Tour offers half-day trips around Bali to 18-day tours including other islands in the Indonesian archipelago.

You can see birds like the Sunda Scops Owl and the Starling on these tours.

Online booking is available for Bali Birding Tour.

The arrival of herons in Banjar Petulu is a fascinating story that has become an integral part of the village's history and culture.

These birds, known as Kokokan, are said to have appeared en masse shortly after a series of killings in the area, and have been roosting in the trees every evening since.

The villagers believe that the herons are the reincarnated victims, but there's another legend that suggests they arrived as a symbol of prosperity and good luck after the village performed a special ceremony in the temple.

The ceremony, which lasted several days, ended on November 7th, 1965, and the herons began to nest in the village shortly after.

A group of herons started nesting in several trees, and soon the village was populated by herons to the point where every tree was occupied.

The villagers were amazed by this phenomenon and believed it was a gift from the gods that needed to be acknowledged and looked after.

They issued special regulations called awig-awig to protect the herons and keep them from being disturbed, as they believed that disturbing the birds would bring disharmony and disaster to the village.

If you're planning to visit Banjar Petulu, you can still see the herons roosting in the trees every evening, a truly unforgettable experience.

The Balinese Hindus have a special ritual to honor the kokokan birds, which they believe bring prosperity and safety to the village. This ritual is performed every six months on Kuningan day.

The villagers present lavish offerings at the Pura Dalem temple, which includes food, fruit, and colorful flowers arranged with young coconut leaves. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and Durga.

The villagers also plant hundreds of trees favored by the kokokan birds, such as Buttonwood Trees, banyan trees, and the December tree.

The bird checklist for Bali is a treasure trove of information, but it's not just a list of species - it's a guide to the common bird species you'll spot while exploring the island.

The checklist indicates whether each species is globally threatened or endangered according to the IUCN, so you can feel good about spotting these birds in their natural habitat.

Some of the most common bird species in Bali include the Fulvous Chested Jungle Flycatcher, which is often seen singing along the forest edges, and the Eastern Cattle Egrets and Javan Pond Herons, which are frequently spotted around cows and rice fields.

House Swifts and Sparrows are the most common birds in Bali's tourist and developed areas, and they can be seen flying by houses or nesting in trees.

The Yellow-Vented Bulbul is a common urban bird all across Asia, and it can be found in parks and forests throughout Bali.

If you're lucky, you might even spot a rare bird like the Asian Emerald Dove, which has pretty greenish wings and lives in the national park.

In Bali, the residents of Banjar Petulu Gunung near Ubud perform a ritual every six months to honor the kokokan birds. This ritual is an essential part of their religious celebration, known as Kuningan.

The ritual is performed at the Pura Dalem temple, a sacred place dedicated to Shiva and Durga. The temple and surrounding shrines are adorned with lavish and elaborate offerings containing food, fruit, and colorful flowers arranged with young coconut leaves.

The villagers believe that the kokokan birds bring prosperity and safety to the village and its residents. They strongly believe in the significance of these birds.

To attract the kokokan birds, the villagers have planted hundreds of trees that the birds like, such as Buttonwood Trees (Conocarpus genus) and banyan trees.

In Bali, the herons are known as Kokokan birds, and they have a special place in the hearts of the locals.

The village of Petulu Gunung was once a poor and isolated place, but the arrival of the herons brought a sense of prosperity and good luck.

According to legend, the herons are the reincarnated victims of a tragic event, and their presence is a reminder of the importance of respecting and honoring the dead.

The villagers believe that the herons are a gift from the gods, and they've made it a point to accept and respect them in their village.

The herons started nesting in the village in 1965, after a big ceremony was performed in the temple, and they've been a part of the community ever since.

The villagers issued special regulations called awig-awig to protect the herons and keep them from being disturbed, because they believe that if the birds were disturbed, it would bring disharmony and disaster to the village.

If you're staying in Ubud, you can still spot a diverse array of colourful birds on your walks or with a birding guide. The areas like rice paddies and terraces around Ubud, Campuhan Ridge Walk, Tjampuhan Ridge, and Petulu village are best to spot colourful kingfishers, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Javan Pond Heron, Black-naped Oriole, White-headed Munia, and Yellow-vented Bulbul.

Javan Pond Heron can be easily spotted in the rice fields, while Yellow-vented Bulbul and Black-naped Oriole prefer trees and forests. Munia likes bushes and grassy areas, so keep an eye out for them in those spots.

Bedugul is a perfect birding site due to its cooler temperatures and rains. You can spot Freckle-breasted Woodpeckers, Striated Grassbird, and Yellow Bittern by Lake Buyan, and Sunda Warblers, Javan Owlet, Javan Whistling Thrush, and Snowy-browed Flycatcher around Tamblingan Lake.

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If you're staying in Ubud, you can still spot a diverse array of colourful birds on your walks or with a birding guide.

The areas around Ubud are perfect for birdwatching, with rice paddies and terraces offering great opportunities to see colourful birds.

You can spot kingfishers, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Javan Pond Heron, Black-naped Oriole, White-headed Munia, and Yellow-vented Bulbul in these areas.

Javan Pond Heron are often seen by the rice fields, making them the easiest to spot.

Yellow-vented Bulbul and Black-naped Oriole prefer trees and forests, while Munia likes bushes and grassy areas.

The Campuhan Ridge Walk and Tjampuhan Ridge are also great spots to see these birds.

Petulu village is another area to explore for colourful birds.

Be sure to bring your binoculars and a field guide to help you identify the different species.

West Bali National Park, also known as Bali Barat National Park, is a must-visit destination for any bird enthusiast. It's home to over 150 bird species, including the majestic Bali Starling in its natural habitat.

The park is a haven for birdwatchers, with a wide variety of species to spot, including the stunning Pink-necked Green Pigeons and the vibrant Chestnut-headed Bee-Eater. You can also see the Long-Tailed Shrike, different species of swallows, and the Black-Naped Oriole.

If you're planning to visit the park, it's essential to have a local guide. Regular tourists who come without a guide often report not seeing any animals or birds. A guide will help you navigate the park and increase your chances of spotting the incredible wildlife.

Some of the birds you can expect to see in the park include the Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, with its distinctive grey chest, blue wings, and small red beak. You might also catch a glimpse of the Black-thighed Falconets, one of the world's smallest birds of prey, measuring just about 15 cm.

Here are some of the bird species you can spot in the park:

Sanda Plantation Hideaway is a real gem for bird enthusiasts. Located in Pupuan, one of the best villages for birdwatching, it's a must-visit spot.

Pupuan is famous for being a meeting ground for the Olive-backed Sunbird, a stunning yellow bird with a blue neck and long beak that feeds on flower nectar.

The plantation offers proper bird hides where you can wait for the perfect moment to snap a picture of these colourful birds. You might even spot the Javan Banded Pitta, Orange-headed Thrush, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Collared and Javan Kingfisher, and many others!

The location is Jalan Raya Antosari, Sanda, Kec. Pupuan, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82163.

Lagoon Nusa Dua is a haven for birdwatchers, offering a chance to spot dozens of stunning water birds amidst its mangrove forests.

One of the standout species you can see here is the Purple Heron, a majestic bird with a slate-gray back and white underside.

The Lagoon Nusa Dua is also home to the Little Pied Cormorant, known for its striking black and white feathers.

If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Cerulean Kingfisher, a vibrant blue bird with a distinctive crest.

The mangrove forests surrounding the lagoon provide a perfect habitat for the Mangrove Whistler, a bird with a melodious song.

Coastal birds like the Terek Sandpiper and Grey-tailed Tattler can also be spotted here, along with the Beach Stone Curlew and Greater Sand Plover.

For those who are up for a challenge, the Savanna Nightjar might make an appearance, its striking plumage making it a thrilling sight.

The Collared Kingfisher is another bird you might see, with its bright blue back and white underside making it a standout species.

Kokokan is a unique phenomenon where the Balinese clump different bird species together, including the Cattle Egret and Little Egret.

In the village, big flocks of birds return to their home trees in the late afternoon, making for an exciting sight.

The village community has created a perfect viewing spot on the second floor of their bale banjar, the community center, where you can watch the birds coming home to roost and observe their afternoon rituals.

It's a great sunset activity to witness the birds' pecking order, family squabbles, courtship activities, and mating rituals firsthand.

The birds are quite noisy, especially as they settle into their spots for the night, making for a lively and entertaining show.

Petulu Gunung Village is a unique destination where thousands of herons, mainly egrets, have made their home. The village has become a natural habitat and nesting place for these birds.

The heron sanctuary is a remarkable phenomenon, limited to this particular village and not extending to the surrounding area. This is a result of the villagers' respect and reverence for the birds.

The villagers hold special piodalan ceremonies twice a year to give thanks for their prosperity and to keep the birds in their village. These ceremonies are an integral part of their culture.

During breeding season, the sanctuary is home to approximately 20,000 birds, and a small entry fee is charged to tourists to help care for them. Visitors can enjoy a bird's-eye view from the viewing platforms at either end of the village.

The villagers have adapted to the presence of the herons, with some taking up jobs as caretakers of the birds, while others open shops selling food, drinks, and souvenirs to tourists.