The Bali starling is one of those birds that feels almost unreal when you see it for the first time. Its bright white feathers and vivid blue eye mask make it hard to look away.
It was also the species that first got me interested in conservation, learning about the efforts to save this bird from extinction. Until then, I mostly thought about conservation on a global scale. The Bali starling showed me how much difference local communities can make when they're given the chance to protect the wildlife around them.
When I created this piece, I kept thinking about how close this species came to disappearing altogether. Once pushed to the brink by the illegal songbird trade, the Bali starling's survival now depends on the dedication of the people working to bring it back.
To support that work, 10% of every sale will be donated to Begawan. Through their breeding, release and education programs, they are helping to restore wild populations of this remarkable bird. If the limited edition sells out, a total of €1170 will be donated to help give the Bali starling the future it deserves.