The Hawaiian Goose

By: Brittany Bailey

Biology 586

The Hawaiian Goose

Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia• Phylum: Chordota• Class: Aves• Order: Anseriformes• Family: Anantidae• Genus: Branta• Species: sandvicensis• Nickname: Nene

Anatomy of Nene

• Has partially webbed feet

• Ranged from 21-26 inches long

• Weighs 4-5 pounds• Male and Female

similar in plumage• Male is slightly larger

Where did they come from?

• Scientists believe that the Nene was once nearly identical to the Canada Goose and evolved over hundreds of years.

• They seldom swam and were not bothered by predators or cold temperature so the didn’t fly as much

• Results:– Webbed feet are only half

as webbed as other geese with longer toes for climbing on rocky lava flows.

– Wings are much weaker compared to other geese.

– Closer to other subspecies of Canada geese than the subspecies are themselves.

Distinctive Neck Pattern

Habitat and Behavior• Frequents scrubland, grassland, golf courses, sparsely

vegetated slopes and Kauai in open lowland country.• Vegetarian diet consist of seeds of grasses and herbs,

leaves, buds flowers and fruits of various plants• Does not need fresh water but will use it when available• Found mostly in the rugged lava fields of Hawaii.• Has reduced webbing in the toes in order to walk more

easily on the lave flow,• Sounds resemble the Canada Goose but when aggravated

gives a sound similar to the ‘moo’ of a cow.

Breeding• Season from November – June• Nests are down-lined and well

concealed in bushes• Prefer to nest in same nest area• Prefer a kipuka(island of

vegetation surrounded by lava.• 2-5 white eggs layed and

incubated for about 30 days.• Gosslings are flightless for 11-

14 weeks after hatching• Families remain in breeding

area for about a month after this.

• The male cares for the female during the incubation period.

•

FACTS

• Official state bird of Hawaii

• Does not spend time in water

• Does not migrate

• 800 left in the wild

• An endangered species

• Endemic to Hawaiian islands and only goose that breeds here

History of Nene Goose• In the 1940 this goose was allowed to be hunted

during winter breeding seasons.• On May 7 1957 it was designated Hawaii’s State

Bird.• Currently small, stable populations on the islands

of Hawaii, Maui and Kauai• Became wild on Kauai in 1982 after hurricane Iwa

wiped out all the cages of the captive Nene• They soon adapted to the grassland habitat• Currently about 1,000 outside Hawaii in Zoo’s

and only about 800 wild in Hawaii due to the introduction of domestic cats and dogs that continuously prey upon the eggs and young.

What is “Endangered”1. Present or threatened

destruction, modification or curtailment of the species habitat or range

2. Over-utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes

3. Disease or predation4. Inadequacy of existing

regulatory mechanisms5. Other natural or manmade

factors affecting the species survival

Threats• Habitat loss and degradation• Hunting• Predation by cats, rats, dogs and the mongoose• Nutrition deficiency= leads to low productivity• Human caused disurbances (roads and

disturbances from hikers)• Inbreeding depression

Conservation• Hunting was officially banned

in 1907 but poaching still occurs

• Since 1960 over 2,300 geese have been introduced but survival rates are poor and he population can’t sustain itself

• Management of vegetation is required to meet nutritional needs.

• Kauai ( only island without mongoose) the population is growing

•

Conservation Continued

• Current actions include:– Captive propagation and release of captive bred

individuals into the wild.– Predator control– Habitat enhancement– Research and monitoring– Formation of Nene Recovery Action Group– Public Education

ANY QUESTIONS