Nene

Hawaii State Bird

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Wild nene (Hawaiian goose)

Wild nene (Hawaiian goose) stretching a leg at Koke'e State Park (shows unique foot evolved for rock-climbing); photo by Byron Chin on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike).

Official State Bird of Hawaii

The nene, or Hawaiian goose (Branta sandwicensis) was designated the official state bird of Hawaii in 1957. All State Birds

Nene Facts

The plumage of male and female nene is identical.  Nene seldom swim and are not bothered by predators or cold temperatures, so they do not fly as much and their wings are weak compared to other geese. Today nene have feet that are only half as webbed as other geese, and longer toes for climbing on the rocky Hawaiian surfaces. This unique bird is endangered. All Endangered Symbols

Hawaii

Images

A pair of wild Nene (Hawaiian Geese) alongisde Koke'e Road on Kauai; photo by Byron Chin on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike).

Pair of wild Nene geese

Hawaiian Goose (Nene) at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge; photo by Jason Crotty on Flickr (use permitted with attribution).

Hawaiian Goose (Nene)

Videos

Nēnē (Hawaiian Goose)