Nēnē, Hawaiian Goose

Prehistory - present

The nēnē (Branta sandvicensis), or the Hawaiian goose, is considered the world’s rarest goose, found only on the Hawaiian islands of Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island. Mating for life, the nēnē makes its home in lowlands with thick vegetation and scrublands, feeding on seeds, leaves, berries, and flowers. Once abundant, nēnē populations significantly declined during the early twentieth century due to overhunting and the introduction of non-native predators, diminishing to a mere 30 recorded birds left in the wild. In 1967, the nēnē was listed as endangered in the Endangered Species Act in 1967. Through this law and diligent recovery efforts, the nēnē was able to rebound from the brink of extinction and in 2019 was downlisted to threatened.

Most Pressing Issues

Habitat loss

Habitat loss through activity such as urban development and land conversion to agriculture have been a historic and ongoing threat to nēnē populations. Degradation of the nene’s habitat began with the Polynesians 1,600 years ago, but accelerated upon European arrival over 200 years ago and continues today. Because of this, the areas where nēnēs can nest and shelter has become more and more limited, and local vegetation that they depend on has suffered major declines.

Non-native predators

Because the nēnē nests on the ground, it makes them particularly vulnerable to threats from introduced predators, including dogs, mongooses, cats, and rats. Foraging and grazing animals, cattle, goats, and pigs, have also contributed to population declines.

Collisions

Nēnē families travel together, crossing highways and thoroughfares, putting them in danger of collisions with vehicles. Because their plumage has a similar color to pavement, drivers can miss them completely while on the road. After a bird is killed on the road, family members often refuse to leave the body, which results in multiple casualties in a short period of time.

How You Can Help

Pacific Rim Conservation

Pacific Rim Conservation's mission is to maintain and restore native bird diversity, populations, and habitats in Hawaii and across the Pacific region.

Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program

The Hawai‘i Endangered Bird Conservation Program conducts conservation projects across the State to preserve and restore endemic species. These projects include the Keauhou and Maui Bird Conservation Centers, and ʻalalā reintroduction on Hawaiʻi Island.

The National Audubon Society

The National Audubon Society is an American non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation of birds and their habitats.

American Bird Conservancy

American Bird Conservancy is a non-profit membership organization with the mission of conserving wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Its focus is on threats to birds in the Western Hemisphere – threats which include overuse of pesticides, urban sprawl, habitat destruction, and invasive species.

Sources:

“Back From the Brink, Hawaii’s Nene Goose a Recovery Success Story,” Center for Biological Diversity, December 8, 2019.

“Nēnē,” Birds of Hawaii, National Park Service.

“Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassifying the Hawaiian Goose From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule,” Federal Register, December 19, 2019.