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Guam Kingfisher Chick Flies First at Pittsburgh Aviary

6/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A Guam kingfisher chick, extinct in the wild, hatched at Pittsburgh’s National Aviary on April 19.
The bird first flew on May 27, a milestone for the captive breeding program.
The brown tree snake caused the species’ extinction on Guam, prompting biologists to rescue 29 birds in the late 1980s and avert loss.
The Sihek Recovery Program now involves over two dozen facilities, with senior aviculturist Brianna Crane leading efforts this fall.

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Story summary

A Guam kingfisher chick, extinct in the wild, hatched at Pittsburgh’s National Aviary on April 19.
The bird first flew on May 27, a milestone for the captive breeding program.
The brown tree snake caused the species’ extinction on Guam, prompting biologists to rescue 29 birds in the late 1980s and avert loss.
The Sihek Recovery Program now involves over two dozen facilities, with senior aviculturist Brianna Crane leading efforts this fall.