For the first time in 40 years, a rare bird species known as the Guam kingfisher, or Sihek, has laid eggs in the wild. The event took place on Palmyra Atoll, a quiet island in the Pacific Ocean.
In September 2024, nine Sihek birds were released there. The group included four females and five males. Experts chose the island because it is free from predators. This move was part of the Sihek Recovery Program, a worldwide effort to bring the species back from the edge of extinction.
The birds adjusted well. They started to build nests. Then, they laid eggs—something that had not happened in nature since the 1980s.
The return of the Sihek bird, long thought lost
Dr. Caitlin Andrews, a scientist focused on bird recovery, said the birds are doing well.
All nine Sihek are surviving, and now they are starting families, she explained. We spent years preparing for this. Now, they are acting just like wild birds—finding food and making homes.
The Sihek lived on the island of Guam before the brown treesnake arrived in the 1940s. That snake was not from Guam. It quickly became a major threat. The Sihek, along with many other native animals, disappeared from the wild. The last wild Sihek was seen in 1988. Since then, fewer than 30 birds remained in captivity.
This new generation of birds is the first to taste freedom in decades.
One bird named Tutuhan stands out. She was the first Sihek to hatch in 2023 under the recovery program. Now, she is the first to lay eggs in the wild.
A symbol of strength and hope
Tutuhan’s name means “beginning” in the CHamoru language, spoken by the people of Guam. She has become a symbol of hope.
Yolanda Topasña from Guam’s Department of Agriculture said Tutuhan showed strength early on: “Even before she was ready, she tried to feed herself. Now she’s the first to start the next generation in the wild. Her story gives us pride.”
To many CHamoru people, the Sihek is more than a bird. It represents culture, heritage, and survival.
More young birds will be released on Palmyra Atoll in the coming months. Scientists say this will help the population grow faster.
Kayla Baker, a bird expert working on the project, shared her emotions. “Seeing those eggs brought tears to our eyes. These birds are not just surviving—they are becoming parents. That means their future in the wild is possible.”
Researchers hope one day, the Sihek will return home to Guam.