Geese- ORDER: Anseriformes
- FAMILY: Anatidae
Basic Description
With its buttery yellow cheeks, grooved neck feathers, and stubby bill, the little Hawaiian Goose is one of the most distinctive geese in the world. This species, often known by its Hawaiian name Nene, almost went extinct in the 1950s, when only 30 individuals remained. Thanks to a large reintroduction program and a surprising adaptability, Hawaiian Geese now number several thousand birds. Although capable of swimming, Nene are adapted for life on land and do not need freshwater or saltwater habitats like most other waterfowl.
More ID InfoFind This Bird
Hawaiian Geese are among the world’s rarest geese, but they are often quite tame and unafraid of humans, making them relatively easy to find. On Kauai, they occur in parks, residential areas, and on golf courses, among other spots. Haleakala National Park (on Maui) and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (on the island of Hawaii) offer chances to see it in dramatic volcanic settings.
Other Names
- Barnacla Nené (Spanish)
- Bernache néné (French)
- Cool Facts
- The Nene is the official state bird of Hawaii.
- Hawaiian Goose has the smallest range of any goose in the world.
- Hawaiian Goose has the longest incubation period of any goose, and for good reason—females lay very large, heavy eggs, a trait shared by other geese and ducks endemic to remote islands.
- The oldest wild Hawaiian Goose, raised in captivity in England and then released as a gosling in Hawaii, lived 28 years.