Nene

Description

The nene (Branta sandvicensis),also known as nēnē and Hawaiian goose,is a species of goose endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.The official bird of the state of Hawaiʻi,the nene is exclusively found in the wild on the islands of Oahu,Maui,Kauaʻi,Molokai,and Hawaiʻi.The nene is a medium-sized goose at 41 cm (16 in) tall.Although they spend most of their time on the ground,they are capable of flight,with some individuals flying daily between nesting and feeding areas.Some are born without the ability to fly.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.Adult males have a black head and hindneck,buff cheeks and heavily furrowed neck.The neck has black and white diagonal stripes.Aside from being smaller,the female Nene is similar to the male in colouration.The adult's bill,legs and feet are black.It has soft feathers under its chin.Goslings resemble the male,but are a duller brown and with less demarcation between the colours of the head and neck,and striping and barring effects are much reduced.