100 Years Later, Endangered Millerbirds Breed Once Again on Laysan Island

100 Years Later, Endangered Millerbirds Breed Once Again on Laysan Island



Endangered Millerbirds, recently reintroduced to Hawai‘i’s Laysan Island after a 100-year absence, are now breeding there, a major step forward in efforts to save the species from extinction.

In September of 2011, 24 of the tiny songbirds were relocated from their last remaining holdout on remote Nihoa Island to Laysan Island. In a bold effort, birds were transported 650 miles northwest by sea to initiate a second population and minimize the risk of extinction. Biologists monitoring the birds have just reported that some of the birds have laid eggs, and some of these eggs have now hatched—an encouraging sign that the birds will thrive in their new home.

100 Years Later, Endangered Millerbirds Breed Once Again on Laysan Island
A Millerbird (Acrocephalus familiaris) hanging out in the naupaka (Scaevola taccada) on Laysan Island – Photo by Robby Kohley

Read full article, which was written and published by American Bird Conservancy

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