Yes, geese can be found in Hawaii, but not the typical species one might imagine. The Hawaiian Islands are home to a unique goose species known as the Nēnē, or Hawaiian Goose. This bird is native to Hawaii and found nowhere else in the world in the wild.
Meet the Hawaiian Goose
The Nēnē, scientifically named Branta sandvicensis, is a medium-sized goose, around 25 inches long. It exhibits a distinctive appearance with a black head, bill, and feet, complemented by buff-colored cheeks and a deeply furrowed neck with black streaks. Its body feathers are a mix of gray and brown, with lighter barring on the underside and a white rump. Males and females have similar plumage, though males are slightly larger.
This goose is known for its soft, mewing or mooing sounds, which inspired its Hawaiian name. Unlike most geese, the Nēnē adapted to a terrestrial lifestyle, with longer legs and reduced foot webbing, which aids in walking rugged terrain. Genetic evidence indicates the Nēnē evolved from Canada Geese, which arrived in Hawaii approximately 500,000 years ago. The Nēnē is recognized as the world’s rarest goose and is Hawaii’s state bird.
Nēnē Habitat and Distribution
The Nēnē has adapted to a variety of habitats across the Hawaiian Islands. These birds are found in sparsely vegetated, high-elevation lava flows, volcanic deserts, and native alpine grasslands and shrublands. They also utilize open native and non-native shrubland-woodland interfaces, as well as non-native grasslands, including pastures and golf courses.
Historically, the Nēnē was found on all main Hawaiian Islands, although confirmed fossil evidence is still being gathered for some. Today, wild populations are primarily found on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Molokaʻi, with reintroduction efforts expanding their current range. On Hawaiʻi Island, populations occur from sea level up to about 7,900 feet, while Kauaʻi populations are found at lower elevations. The distribution of current populations is influenced by past and ongoing release sites of captive-bred birds.
The Nēnē’s Conservation Story
The Nēnē faced a severe population decline, driven by multiple historical factors. Hunting, habitat loss, and the introduction of non-native predators were primary contributors to its near extinction. Introduced mammals such as mongooses, cats, dogs, rats, pigs, goats, and cattle preyed on Nēnē eggs, goslings, and adults, or degraded their habitats. By 1952, the wild Nēnē population plummeted to approximately 30 birds.
Significant conservation efforts have been undertaken to aid the Nēnē’s recovery. Captive breeding programs, which began as early as 1949, played a central role in increasing their numbers. These captive-bred birds have been reintroduced to various Hawaiian Islands since the 1960s, with over 2,000 released between 1967 and 1990 alone. Alongside reintroduction, conservation actions include predator control, habitat restoration, and fencing to protect nesting areas from feral animals.
The Nēnē was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1967. Decades of dedicated efforts have helped the Nēnē population rebound. In 2019, the species was federally downlisted from endangered to threatened. As of 2022, the statewide Nēnē population was estimated to be around 3,862 birds.
Beyond the Nēnē
Other goose species are occasionally sighted in the Hawaiian Islands. These are migratory birds that have ventured far from their usual routes, known as vagrants. Species like the Snow Goose, for instance, are rare visitors to Hawaii, found in their native Arctic tundra and North American ranges. These occasional sightings do not represent established wild populations in Hawaii.
Therefore, any geese encountered in the wild in Hawaii are almost exclusively the Nēnē. The islands’ isolated geography means that other goose species do not naturally establish breeding populations. The focus of goose conservation and observation in Hawaii remains firmly on the unique and recovering Nēnē.