Endangered Millerbirds Breeds Once Again 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. Shortly after they arrived last fall, the
Millerbirds made an unsuccessful out-of-season breeding attempt.
Now the birds are entering their first proper breeding season
with promising early results. Nest building activity was first
observed on Valentine’s Day. The first complete nest of the
season was discovered the las