About the Nene
The nene, also known as the nēnē or the Hawaiian goose, is a species of bird endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The nene is exclusively found in the wild on the islands of Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Hawaiʻi. In 1957, it was designated as the official state bird of the state of Hawaiʻi.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The nene is a large-sized goose at 41 cm (16 in) tall. Although it spends most of its time on the ground, it is capable of flight, with some individuals flying daily between nesting and feeding areas. Females have a mass of 1.525–2.56 kg (3.36–5.64 lb), while males average 1.695–3.05 kg (3.74–6.72 lb), 11% larger than females. Adults have a black head and hindneck, buff cheeks, and a heavily furrowed neck. The neck has black and white diagonal stripes. The adult's bill, legs, and feet are black.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Netherlands.
When to see it
Peak activity in December · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Red-breasted GooseBranta ruficollisAll the species of the genus Branta are distinguished by their dark sooty colour, relieved by white, and as a distinction from the grey geese of the genus Anser.
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisThe barnacle goose is a medium-sized goose, 55–70 cm (22–28 in) long, with a wingspan of 120–145 cm (47–57 in) and a weight of 1.21–2.23 kg (2.7–4.9 lb), with black legs and a small, stubby black bill.
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiThe black head and neck with white "chinstrap" distinguish this goose from all other geese except the larger Canada goose (Branta canadensis) and the similarly sized barnacle goose (B. leucopsis).
Learn the Nene for real
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