Bird species once only found in captivity lays first wild eggs in 40 years

HONOLULU (KHON) - The Sihek bird, an endangered animal recently returned to the wild, has laid eggs on their new home at Palmyra Atoll, an island in the Pacific.

The eggs mark the first wild eggs from the species in approximately 40 years.

Nine Sihek (also known as Guam kingfishers) were released at the Nature Conservancy's Palmyra Atoll Preserve in September 2024 by the Sihek Recovery Program, a collection of conservationists from around the world dedicated to the preservation of the bird species.

The four female and five male Sihek birds quickly explored and adapted to their new home, building territories, nests and laying eggs together for the first time since their extinction from their native island of Guam in the '80s.

"We're delighted that all nine of the birds are not only surviving on Palmyra Atoll, they're already starting on the next stage of their journey as we work to reestablish a thriving and fully self-sustaining Sihek population in the wild," said Dr. Caitlin Andrews, a bird conservation scientist. "It's taken years of planning to get to this point, and it's wonderful seeing their instincts kick in as they've been catching geckos and spiders and excavating nests. Their strength provides hope they will one day be back on Guam."

Shiek is the name given to the birds by the native CHamoru people of Guam. The birds were eliminated when the invasive brown treesnake was accidentally introduced to the island in the '40s.

The last wild Shiek was seen in 1988, and 29 Shiek were under human care by biologists in Guam.

The birds were relocated to Palmyra Atoll because the island is largely predator-free and is fully protected.

"The Guåhan (Guam) Shiek continue to etch their story upon us, marking milestones with Tutuhan again at the forefront. Tutuhan was the first hatchling last year and now is the first to produce eggs. Her name means beginning and she showed signs of strength from the beginning, wanting to feed herself before being old enough to do so," said Yolanda Topasña, a Guam Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources program coordinator.

To Topasña, the Shiek are more than a bird, representing a sense of ancestral pride for CHamoru people.

"The connection I feel with Tutuhan is a kinship I hope for all to feel. I envision our people, the CHamoru, those who dwell in our beloved Guåhan and those scattered across the vast oceans, to feel the same stirring of ancestral pride," she said.

Plans are currently underway for more young birds to be released at Palmya Atoll this summer, in hopes of further boosting the population.

"It has been the honor of my life to work with the Sihek, who embody the spirit of the CHamoru people, with their incredible resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity," said Kayla Baker, a bird conservationist. "Seeing the eggs in the nest for the first time left us all with tears in our eyes. Watching these birds show such strong parental instincts gives me great hope that the Sihek will continue to thrive both here on Palmyra Atoll and when they are returned to Guåhan."