There are 110 sihek kingfishers left in the world. Three of them just arrived in Oregon.
Zoo welcomes ultra-rare sihek kingfishers
The Oregon Zoo is home to many critically endangered species, but perhaps none as rare as its newest arrivals: a trio of sihek kingfishers.
www.oregonzoo.org
May 7, 2024 at 9:37 PM
There are 110 sihek kingfishers left in the world. Three of them just arrived in Oregon.
The first Sihek, aka Guam kingfisher, chick of 2025 has hatched at the Cincinnati Zoo! This is big news for a species that is listed as extinct in the wild. cincinnatizoo.org/first-sihek-...
May 23, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The first Sihek, aka Guam kingfisher, chick of 2025 has hatched at the Cincinnati Zoo! This is big news for a species that is listed as extinct in the wild. cincinnatizoo.org/first-sihek-...
Guam kingfishers, known as Sihek in Guam, became extinct in the wild after the brown treesnake was accidentally introduced to their native island in the 1940s.
cincinnatizoo.org/extinct-in-t...
cincinnatizoo.org/extinct-in-t...
April 22, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Guam kingfishers, known as Sihek in Guam, became extinct in the wild after the brown treesnake was accidentally introduced to their native island in the 1940s.
cincinnatizoo.org/extinct-in-t...
cincinnatizoo.org/extinct-in-t...
October 19, 2025 at 10:01 PM
beloved sihek, RISE RISE RISE RISE #birds #guamkingfisher
December 10, 2024 at 2:31 AM
beloved sihek, RISE RISE RISE RISE #birds #guamkingfisher
The Cincinnati Zoo is part of a group of AZA-accredited zoos that have been working together, along with Sihek Recovery Project partners, to repopulate this species since the 1980s. youtu.be/Ml7PDM7Ecwg
First Sihek Chick of 2025 - Cincinnati Zoo
YouTube video by The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
youtu.be
May 23, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The Cincinnati Zoo is part of a group of AZA-accredited zoos that have been working together, along with Sihek Recovery Project partners, to repopulate this species since the 1980s. youtu.be/Ml7PDM7Ecwg
> Our followers may recall that in September, sihek (Guam kingfishers) returned to the wild for the first time since the 1980s. We are thrilled to share that almost five months later, all nine birds are thriving in the tropical forests of Palmyra Atoll! (1/5)
[via National Zoo]
[via National Zoo]
February 3, 2025 at 1:33 AM
> Our followers may recall that in September, sihek (Guam kingfishers) returned to the wild for the first time since the 1980s. We are thrilled to share that almost five months later, all nine birds are thriving in the tropical forests of Palmyra Atoll! (1/5)
[via National Zoo]
[via National Zoo]
Sihek
There are only 130 siheks left in the world. Three of them share a bachelor pad at the Oregon Zoo.
February 13, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Sihek
Male sihek of a feather flock together — at least, that’s what’s happening at the Oregon Zoo. It’s a discovery upending previous beliefs about a territorial and critically endangered bird species.
The Oregon Zoo gets creative in effort to recover endangered tropical bird
Sihek are brightly colored, long-billed birds endemic to Guam. Zoo scientists have long believed that males couldn't be housed together without risk of infighting.
www.opb.org
March 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Male sihek of a feather flock together — at least, that’s what’s happening at the Oregon Zoo. It’s a discovery upending previous beliefs about a territorial and critically endangered bird species.
share.google/yJOxajFHc0ei...
The Guam kingfisher, known locally as a sihek, was wiped out in its native habitat by the invasive brown tree snake. Biologists rescued 29 of the remaining wild population in the late 1980s, saving the bird from complete extinction.
#Birds 🪶
#Birdsky
#extinction
The Guam kingfisher, known locally as a sihek, was wiped out in its native habitat by the invasive brown tree snake. Biologists rescued 29 of the remaining wild population in the late 1980s, saving the bird from complete extinction.
#Birds 🪶
#Birdsky
#extinction
A bird that's extinct in the wild hatched at the National Aviary
A bird that has been extinct in the wild for 40 years was born at Pittsburgh's National Aviary.
share.google
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 AM
share.google/yJOxajFHc0ei...
The Guam kingfisher, known locally as a sihek, was wiped out in its native habitat by the invasive brown tree snake. Biologists rescued 29 of the remaining wild population in the late 1980s, saving the bird from complete extinction.
#Birds 🪶
#Birdsky
#extinction
The Guam kingfisher, known locally as a sihek, was wiped out in its native habitat by the invasive brown tree snake. Biologists rescued 29 of the remaining wild population in the late 1980s, saving the bird from complete extinction.
#Birds 🪶
#Birdsky
#extinction
To bounce back from the brink of extinction caused by the accidental introduction of invasive species required the cooperative efforts of zoos, conservationists & the indigenous people of Guam, the Chamorro, for whom the sihek has special cultural significance.
June 4, 2026 at 12:59 PM
To bounce back from the brink of extinction caused by the accidental introduction of invasive species required the cooperative efforts of zoos, conservationists & the indigenous people of Guam, the Chamorro, for whom the sihek has special cultural significance.
Brought back from the edge of extinction, the Sihek bird aka Guam kingfisher, is finally laying eggs for the first time in 40 years! This remarkable milestone is the result of a global collaboration of conservationists rewilding these magnificent, colorful birds.
Bird species lost from wild for almost 40 years lays first eggs on new island home
Sihek – an endangered bird recently returned to the wild – have laid eggs on their new Pacific island home at Palmyra Atoll, making them the first wild eggs for the species in almost 40 years.
www.nature.org
April 30, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Brought back from the edge of extinction, the Sihek bird aka Guam kingfisher, is finally laying eggs for the first time in 40 years! This remarkable milestone is the result of a global collaboration of conservationists rewilding these magnificent, colorful birds.
9 zoo-born siheks were reintroduced in 2024 to a predator-free island in the chain, the Palmyra Atoll.
A nature preserve in their native range, free of brown treesnakes. And I'm happy to report that they're doing very well.
New eggs, and well-fed, healthy siheks, though no wild-born babies *yet*.
A nature preserve in their native range, free of brown treesnakes. And I'm happy to report that they're doing very well.
New eggs, and well-fed, healthy siheks, though no wild-born babies *yet*.
Extinct in the wild sihek released into wild for first time in 40 years | The Zoological Society of London
Conservation partnership advances the establishment of the first wild sihek population on Palmyra Atoll
www.zsl.org
June 4, 2026 at 12:59 PM
9 zoo-born siheks were reintroduced in 2024 to a predator-free island in the chain, the Palmyra Atoll.
A nature preserve in their native range, free of brown treesnakes. And I'm happy to report that they're doing very well.
New eggs, and well-fed, healthy siheks, though no wild-born babies *yet*.
A nature preserve in their native range, free of brown treesnakes. And I'm happy to report that they're doing very well.
New eggs, and well-fed, healthy siheks, though no wild-born babies *yet*.
🪶 Four female & five male sihek will spend several weeks in aviaries on Cooper Island, which is encompassed by Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, giving them time to acclimatize while the team makes the final preparations for their release.
www.fws.gov/story/2024-0...
www.fws.gov/story/2024-0...
Extinct in the Wild Sihek Arrive at New Home on Palmyra Atoll | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its Sihek Recovery Program partners transported nine extinct in the wild sihek (Guam kingfisher) to The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) preserve and research station ...
www.fws.gov
September 12, 2024 at 4:43 PM
🪶 Four female & five male sihek will spend several weeks in aviaries on Cooper Island, which is encompassed by Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, giving them time to acclimatize while the team makes the final preparations for their release.
www.fws.gov/story/2024-0...
www.fws.gov/story/2024-0...
A small group of these birds was saved and sent to a handful of Zoos before they completely disappeared from Guam in the 1980s. Cincinnati Zoo was one of the Zoos that received Sihek, and we’ve been working with partners to produce eggs/chicks to reintroduce the species to Guam.
April 22, 2025 at 1:46 PM
A small group of these birds was saved and sent to a handful of Zoos before they completely disappeared from Guam in the 1980s. Cincinnati Zoo was one of the Zoos that received Sihek, and we’ve been working with partners to produce eggs/chicks to reintroduce the species to Guam.
Parental Age, Inbreeding and Incubation Method Influence Extremely Low Hatching Success in the Ex-Situ Population of the Extinct in the Wild Sihek | doi.org/10.1111/acv.... | Animal Conservation | #ornithology 🪶
Parental Age, Inbreeding and Incubation Method Influence Extremely Low Hatching Success in the Ex‐Situ Population of the Extinct in the Wild Sihek
Reproductive success rates are a key parameter determining the recovery potential of ex-situ managed threatened species, with high rates often being required to produce offspring for wild releases wh...
doi.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Parental Age, Inbreeding and Incubation Method Influence Extremely Low Hatching Success in the Ex-Situ Population of the Extinct in the Wild Sihek | doi.org/10.1111/acv.... | Animal Conservation | #ornithology 🪶
Graças à #reprodução em #cativeiro e parcerias entre diversos zoológicos e instituições de conservação, o #martim-pescador-de-Guam, chamado de #sihek pelos povos nativos, pode bater asas, #livre, nas florestas do Atol de Palmyra
Após quase 40 anos, o pequeno sihek voa livre novamente na natureza
Foi um momento de muita emoção e celebração para profissionais do mundo inteiro envolvidos no Programa de Recuperação do Sihek nas últimas décadas. Graças a reprodução em cativeiro e parcerias entre d...
conexaoplaneta.com.br
September 25, 2024 at 9:22 PM
Graças à #reprodução em #cativeiro e parcerias entre diversos zoológicos e instituições de conservação, o #martim-pescador-de-Guam, chamado de #sihek pelos povos nativos, pode bater asas, #livre, nas florestas do Atol de Palmyra
Each chick is vitally important. Last year the group was able to send 9 young Sihek to an island in the pacific as a first step to rewilding these birds. They are thriving there, and the goal is to send more! So, celebrate this rare little bird!
May 23, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Each chick is vitally important. Last year the group was able to send 9 young Sihek to an island in the pacific as a first step to rewilding these birds. They are thriving there, and the goal is to send more! So, celebrate this rare little bird!
We are beyond thrilled and hope that we see chicks in a few weeks. These eggs are a major step towards reestablishing this species in the wild!
Read more: cincinnatizoo.org/extinct-in-t...
Read more: cincinnatizoo.org/extinct-in-t...
April 22, 2025 at 1:46 PM
We are beyond thrilled and hope that we see chicks in a few weeks. These eggs are a major step towards reestablishing this species in the wild!
Read more: cincinnatizoo.org/extinct-in-t...
Read more: cincinnatizoo.org/extinct-in-t...
They emptied the jungles of native birds, including this handsome Guam kingfisher, called 'sihek' in the CHamoru language of the Mariana Islands.
In 1988, it was declared 'Extinct in the Wild', but 29 surviving animals in zoos were enough to begin a conservation breeding program.
In 1988, it was declared 'Extinct in the Wild', but 29 surviving animals in zoos were enough to begin a conservation breeding program.
June 4, 2026 at 12:59 PM
They emptied the jungles of native birds, including this handsome Guam kingfisher, called 'sihek' in the CHamoru language of the Mariana Islands.
In 1988, it was declared 'Extinct in the Wild', but 29 surviving animals in zoos were enough to begin a conservation breeding program.
In 1988, it was declared 'Extinct in the Wild', but 29 surviving animals in zoos were enough to begin a conservation breeding program.
White, blue and green. Rota (Luta), Bird Sanctuary overlook and Luta Sihek (Mariana Kingfisher)
👩🏼⚕️🧪🪶🌏
👩🏼⚕️🧪🪶🌏
March 13, 2026 at 1:37 AM
White, blue and green. Rota (Luta), Bird Sanctuary overlook and Luta Sihek (Mariana Kingfisher)
👩🏼⚕️🧪🪶🌏
👩🏼⚕️🧪🪶🌏
Es gibt auch gute Nachrichten. Dies ist eine davon.
www.watson.ch/internationa...
www.watson.ch/internationa...
In Wildbahn ausgestorbener Vogel legt nach fast 40 Jahren wieder Eier in Wildnis
In freier Wildbahn war er für ausgestorben erklärt worden. Nun hat der bedrohte Sihek auf seiner neuen Heimatinsel Eier gelegt.
www.watson.ch
April 28, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Es gibt auch gute Nachrichten. Dies ist eine davon.
www.watson.ch/internationa...
www.watson.ch/internationa...
Thank you for sharing the good news about the Sihek from the island where I was born. It's made my already stressful morning, a little better. 😮💨😌
June 4, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Thank you for sharing the good news about the Sihek from the island where I was born. It's made my already stressful morning, a little better. 😮💨😌
Tutuhan, whose name means 'beginning' in the language of the CHamoru people of Guåhan/Guam, saw off a female rival to win Hihanao - the handsome pair were the first of four Sihek to begin to nest on Palmyra Atol. Hopeful beginnings indeed for a beautiful bird vanished from the wild since the 1980s.
So exciting to see #sihek eggs confirmed in the wild for the first time in nearly 40 years! www.zsl.org/news-and-eve... #ConservationScience 🌍 🦤 🧪 #Ornithology
Bird species lost from wild lays first eggs on new island home | The Zoological Society of London
Endangered bird recently returned to the wild have laid first eggs on their new Pacific island home, making them the first wild eggs for the species in almost 40 years.
www.zsl.org
May 2, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Tutuhan, whose name means 'beginning' in the language of the CHamoru people of Guåhan/Guam, saw off a female rival to win Hihanao - the handsome pair were the first of four Sihek to begin to nest on Palmyra Atol. Hopeful beginnings indeed for a beautiful bird vanished from the wild since the 1980s.