Hawaiian goose
They are locally known as nene o nēnē, pronounced nay-nay, after the song they sing when flying or when somebody goes near them. The sound they make is similar to mooing or horns.
Where to find them?
This species lives in the installation of Oceanic Islands.
Generalidades
The Hawaiian goose is the rarest goose in the world. Its population is estimated to have been 25,000 birds before the European discovery of the islands in 1770. However, in 1950 only 36 birds survived on the main island of Hawaii. Fortunately, in the sixties the birds protected themselves and began a very important breeding and release programme between England and Hawaii. As it is a bird that reproduces very easily in zoos, its population has increased considerably (there are currently around 3000 geese in the natural environment).
It is believed that the Hawaiian goose evolved from the Canada goose 500,000 years ago. It is possible that migrating Canada geese diverted their route due to a storm or bad weather and accidentally ended up in Hawaii, where they settled. Over time the geese began to separate from their own and adapted to the conditions on the islands. For example, they stopped migrating and even decreased flying frequency. In addition, their legs adapted to the new terrain, losing part of the interdigital membrane, with toes longer than other geese and more padded soles to grip sharp rocks well.
Hawaiian geese can live quite a long time despite being small birds. They can live up to 24 years in captivity, but life in nature reduces their maximum life span up to 20 years. The average life span in the natural environment is 8 years.
Hawaiian geese can live quite a long time despite being small birds. They can live up to 24 years in captivity, but life in nature reduces their maximum life span up to 20 years. The average life span in the natural environment is 8 years.
How do they reproduce?
Hawaiian geese are monomorphic which means that males and females are basically the same from an external point of view, unlike in many other birds with males that have very striking colours.
Did you know?
They are locally known as nene o nēnē, pronounced nay-nay, after the song they sing when flying or when somebody goes near them. The sound they make is similar to mooing or horns.