The Nene (pronounced "nay-nay") is a land bird and a variety of Hawaiian
Goose. Our scientists believed that they were nearly identical to Canada goose
except only the face, cap, and hind neck are black, but after thousands of years
of evolution they are now quite different.
It has adapted itself to life
in the harsh lava country by transforming its webbed feet into a claw-like shape
and modifying its wing structure for shorter flights. They have got feet that
are only half as webbed as compared to other geese, with longer toes for climbing
on the rocky lava flows but their wings are weaker. They did not bothered about
predators such as mongooses and feral dogs and cats which relentlessly prey upon
the Nene's eggs and young so they did not fly much.
They feed on the moisture
from fog and dew, and that contained in the plants in the grasslands and slopes
it eats because they live in an environment where there is a little fresh water.
Usually smaller than the Canada Goose (25" to 43"), the Nene ranges
in size from approximately 21" to 26" inches in length.
Today
there are about 500 wild Nene and successful captive breeding programs in the
United States and Europe with fledglings introduced every year.
