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Article

From Hatch to Fledge: Growth and Development of Sihek (Todiramphus cinnamominus) Chicks at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

by
Margaret Ramont
*,
Cody Hickman
,
Tim Snyder
,
Sathya K. Chinnadurai
and
Lance J. Miller
Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2025, 6(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg6010016
Submission received: 10 December 2024 / Revised: 17 January 2025 / Accepted: 19 February 2025 / Published: 5 March 2025
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Abstract

Until recently, the sihek (Guam kingfisher, Todiramphus cinnamominus) has persisted entirely in managed care since a breeding program was established in the 1980s. Understanding the growth and developmental milestones of the sihek from hatch to fledging is critical to enhancing conservation efforts and improving management practices that promote positive welfare. In this study, we summarized data collected on the growth patterns, developmental milestones, and rearing differences in sihek chicks raised at Brookfield Zoo Chicago from 1989 to 2023. We found that hand-reared chicks reached the fledging stage significantly earlier than parent-reared chicks that received supplemental feeding from staff. Additionally, we found that hatch weight was a significant predictor of survival to fledging, highlighting the importance of collecting weight data at all stages of life. These insights into sihek development in managed care provide important data for the development of welfare-focused management practices that improve the success of conservation efforts while also prioritizing the wellbeing of each individual chick.
Keywords: Guam kingfisher; chick growth; fledge; hand-rear Guam kingfisher; chick growth; fledge; hand-rear

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ramont, M.; Hickman, C.; Snyder, T.; Chinnadurai, S.K.; Miller, L.J. From Hatch to Fledge: Growth and Development of Sihek (Todiramphus cinnamominus) Chicks at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2025, 6, 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg6010016

AMA Style

Ramont M, Hickman C, Snyder T, Chinnadurai SK, Miller LJ. From Hatch to Fledge: Growth and Development of Sihek (Todiramphus cinnamominus) Chicks at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens. 2025; 6(1):16. https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg6010016

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ramont, Margaret, Cody Hickman, Tim Snyder, Sathya K. Chinnadurai, and Lance J. Miller. 2025. "From Hatch to Fledge: Growth and Development of Sihek (Todiramphus cinnamominus) Chicks at Brookfield Zoo Chicago" Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 6, no. 1: 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg6010016

APA Style

Ramont, M., Hickman, C., Snyder, T., Chinnadurai, S. K., & Miller, L. J. (2025). From Hatch to Fledge: Growth and Development of Sihek (Todiramphus cinnamominus) Chicks at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, 6(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg6010016

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