Bird Extinct in the Wild Returns to Nature After 40 Years

A bird species that was previously extinct in the wild has been released back into its natural habitat for the first time since the 1980s.

According to a press release from the Zoological Society of London, six sihek (Guam kingfisher) are living in the Palmyra Atoll tropical forests, which is thanks to the work done by the Sihek Recovery Program, which looks to restore the species.

Four female and five male sihek birds were previously cared for by specialists at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kan. ahead of their “historical rewilding.”

Following months of caring for the birds, six of the nine sihek were deemed healthy enough to be released. The birds, which have bright cerulean and cinnamon colors, traveled from Wichita to “temporary aviaries” at Cooper Island on Aug. 28 where they were able to adapt to their new surroundings.

This species is known to be territorial, so it’s likely that they will pick their zones early on. The birds have a specially fitted radio tracker attached to them, this way the Sihek Recovery Program can monitor their species’ return to the wild and learn about their foraging, habitat use and breeding.

The other three will be monitored and individually released when they are ready.

The ZSL’s Institute of Zoology and Sihek Recovery Program Team Chair Professor John Ewen called their historical release “decades in the making” in a press release. 

“Wildlife globally is under threat, and the success of seeing these birds fly in the wild once more highlights just how zoos, scientists and conservationists – working with governments and decision-makers – have the power to protect species and take huge steps in bringing them back from the very brink of extinction.” 

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Charlotte James, one of the London Zoo birdkeepers who hand-reared the sihek chicks at the Sedgwick Zoo said it was “an honor to be part of this journey.”

“Having spent long days working around the clock to hand raise these precious birds, it’s so incredible seeing them not only fully grown, but also now flying around Palmyra Atoll.”

The sihek were listed under the Guan Endangered Species Act in 1982. Two years later, they became part of the U.S. Endangered Species List. In 1988, they were believed to have been extinct as prey to the brown tree snake.

The mission of the Sihek Recovery Program is to eventually return the birds back to their native home of Guam.