Full Breakdown
Guam Kingfisher Hatches at Pittsburgh's National Aviary, Marking Milestone in 40-Year Recovery Effort
6/6/2026, 12:05:25 AM
First Captive Hatch of the Extinct-in-the-Wild Guam Kingfisher
On 19 April 2024 a male Guam kingfisher—locally known as a sihek—hatched at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and took its first flight on 27 May. The species has been extinct in the wild for 40 years after the invasive brown tree snake eradicated its forest habitat on Guam. In the late 1980s biologists rescued 29 of the remaining wild birds, establishing a captive population that now underpins the Sihek Recovery Program. The hatch is viewed as a pivotal step toward the program’s ultimate goal of releasing birds on Guam once snake control measures are in place.
Participants in the Sihek Recovery Program
The National Aviary leads the recent hatch and coordinates with the Sihek Recovery Program, a network of more than two dozen zoos and conservation facilities. Senior aviculturist Brianna Crane oversees avian husbandry and will guide breeding activities this fall. A small group of rescued birds, including the pair Mames and Långet, resides on the brown-snake-free Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, where they have begun laying eggs.
Timeline of Key Milestones
- Late 1980s – Rescue of 29 wild Guam kingfishers.
- 19 April 2024 – First captive-bred hatch at the National Aviary.
- 27 May 2024 – Hatchling’s inaugural flight.
- Fall 2024 – Planned monitoring and breeding work led by Brianna Crane.
Species Status and Statistics
The Guam kingfisher remains extinct in the wild after four decades. The captive program now involves over 24 institutions. Mames and Långet have produced non-fertile eggs, a typical outcome for first-time breeders. The April hatch marks the first successful breeding of the species in the wild since its disappearance from Guam.
Official Statement from the National Aviary
The National Aviary announced that the hatch “will be part of efforts to someday bring Guam kingfishers back to their home island.” The institution added that further updates on the Sihek Recovery Program, including details on senior aviculturist Brianna Crane’s role, will be released later in the year.
Conservation Impact
The successful hatch demonstrates that captive breeding can generate viable offspring, a prerequisite for reestablishing a self-sustaining population on Guam. Achieving reintroduction will require managing the brown tree snake threat and maintaining snake-free sites such as Palmyra Atoll for interim breeding. Program managers hope that the Palmyra Atoll birds will eventually hatch chicks without human assistance, a milestone not seen in four decades.
Next Steps
The National Aviary will monitor the hatchling’s development through the fall, integrate Brianna Crane’s expertise, and coordinate with partner facilities to improve breeding success. Long-term goals include producing fertile eggs, raising chicks without human assistance, and ultimately reintroducing the sihek to a snake-managed Guam.
