The bird of Hawaii is the Nēnē, or Hawaiian Goose, a unique species found nowhere else on Earth. Its scientific name is Branta sandvicensis, classifying it as a true goose that evolved in isolation on the Hawaiian archipelago. The Nēnē holds the official status as the State Bird of Hawaiʻi, a designation that highlights its cultural importance and has played a significant role in its survival.
Distinctive Physical Traits
The Nēnē is a medium-sized goose, typically weighing between four and five pounds and measuring 21 to 26 inches in length. Its plumage features a black face and crown, offset by cream-colored cheeks and a buff-colored neck. The neck feathers are deeply furrowed, creating a striped appearance that offers subtle camouflage.
A defining physical feature is the adaptation of its feet. Unlike most geese, the Nēnē possesses reduced webbing on its toes and has longer, stronger legs. This allows the bird to walk more easily and swiftly across the rough, rocky terrain of volcanic lava flows. The reduced webbing reflects the Nēnē’s highly terrestrial lifestyle.
Habitat and Ecological Adaptations
The Nēnē is a non-migratory, terrestrial goose, a lifestyle that contrasts with its migratory ancestors. It occupies a wide range of habitats, from sea level up to elevations of nearly 8,000 feet, primarily on the islands of Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Molokaʻi. These habitats include sparsely vegetated lava fields, montane shrublands, coastal dune areas, and open grasslands.
The species evolved in an environment where no native mammalian predators existed, contributing to its loss of strong aquatic adaptations. This isolation led the Nēnē to specialize for life on land, grazing and browsing on the islands’ unique flora. Its diet is purely herbivorous, consisting of the leaves, seeds, flowers, and fruits of native and non-native grasses, sedges, and berries. The Nēnē plays an important ecological role by facilitating seed dispersal.
The Conservation Success Story
The Nēnē population suffered a catastrophic decline after the arrival of humans, reaching a low point of only about 30 birds remaining in the wild by 1952. This near-extinction was caused by hunting, significant habitat loss due to agricultural development, and the introduction of non-native predators. Ground-nesting Nēnē were particularly vulnerable to introduced mammals such as mongooses, feral cats, dogs, rats, and pigs.
The species’ plight spurred intensive conservation efforts. Early captive breeding programs, including those pioneered by local rancher Herbert C. Shipman and conservationist Sir Peter Scott, provided a lifeline. These efforts established a crucial backup population, allowing for subsequent reintroductions. The Nēnē’s designation as the State Bird of Hawaiʻi in 1957 helped secure federal funding for the restoration project.
Since the 1960s, conservationists have released over 2,000 captive-bred birds back into the Hawaiian Islands. This effort, alongside ongoing predator control and habitat management, has allowed the population to rebound significantly. The US Fish and Wildlife Service downlisted the Nēnē from endangered to threatened status in 2019, reflecting the species’ recovery.
Current population estimates place the number of Nēnē at over 3,800 birds across the islands, though the species remains vulnerable. Continuing challenges include managing non-native predators, maintaining suitable habitat, and mitigating threats like vehicle collisions that occur when the birds forage near roadways.