Hawaii State Bird: Nene
Fact-checked • Updated November 25, 2025
Hawaii State Bird – Nene
Hawaii designated the Nene as its official state bird on May 7, 1957. The action came two years before statehood. The species occurs only in Hawaii. Population numbers fell to about thirty birds by 1952. Captive breeding and habitat management increased totals to more than three thousand across the islands.
Why Hawaii Chose the Nene as State Bird
On May 7, 1957, Hawaii made the Nene (Branta sandvicensis) its official state bird. The designation came two years before statehood. Governor Samuel Wilder King signed the legislation into law.
Hawaii is the only state with the Nene as its official bird. This goose exists nowhere else on Earth naturally. Evolution shaped the species in Hawaii over 500,000 years. No other U.S. state bird faces such critical endangerment.
Why pick an endangered bird? Population numbers crashed to only 30 birds by 1952. Conservation needs demanded attention. Hawaii leaders wanted to draw worldwide focus to this crisis. The bird's desperate situation required immediate action.
Hawaiian roots made it perfect. Ancient Hawaiians called it 'nēnē' after its soft call. Chants and legends featured the bird. Native Hawaiians hunted Nene for food before Western contact changed the islands forever.
Hawaii's unique ecosystem needed a unique symbol. Volcanic slopes became home without natural predators. Reduced webbing between toes helps walk on rough lava rock. These adaptations show Hawaii's isolation from continental ecosystems.
History of Adoption: How the Nene Became Hawaii's Bird
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Pre-Contact Era (Before 1778)
Native Hawaiians knew the Nene for thousands of years. The bird lived on all main Hawaiian islands. Ancient populations likely numbered 25,000 birds. Hawaiians hunted Nene but maintained sustainable populations.
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1778-1900 — Population Collapse Begins
Captain James Cook arrived in Hawaii in 1778. Europeans introduced rats, cats, dogs, and mongooses. These predators destroyed Nene eggs and killed young birds. Habitat clearing for agriculture eliminated nesting areas. By 1900, Nene survived only on Hawaii Island and Maui.
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1900-1950 — Near Extinction
Hunting pressure intensified with firearms. Wild pig and goat populations exploded, destroying native plants. The Nene population dropped to about 50 birds by 1950. Scientists feared complete extinction within years.
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1949 — Conservation Begins
Herbert Shipman captured wild Nene on Hawaii Island. He sent breeding pairs to Peter Scott's Wildfowl Trust in England. This captive breeding program saved the species. Hawaii also established protected areas on Maui's Haleakala.
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1952 — Critical Point
Only 30 Nene remained in the wild. Scientists called it the rarest goose on Earth. Hawaii and international conservation groups launched emergency recovery efforts.
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May 7, 1957 — Official State Bird
The Hawaii Territorial Legislature designated the Nene as official bird. The timing highlighted ongoing conservation work. Hawaii wanted the world to know about this endangered species.
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August 21, 1959 — Hawaii Statehood
Hawaii became the 50th state. The Nene automatically became an official state bird. The designation appears in Hawaii Revised Statutes.
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1967 — Federal Protection
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Nene as endangered. Federal protection added resources to recovery programs. Hawaii released captive-bred birds into protected areas.
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2019 — Downlisted to Vulnerable
The International Union for Conservation of Nature changed the Nene from Endangered to Vulnerable. Population recovery showed conservation success. Over 3,000 birds now live in Hawaii.
What the Nene Means to Hawaii
Conservation Success
The Nene represents Hawaii's commitment to protecting endangered species. The bird recovered from 30 individuals to over 3,000. This success story inspires conservation efforts worldwide. Hawaii proved that dedicated protection works.
Hawaiian Identity
The Nene evolved only in Hawaii over half a million years. No other place on Earth has this bird naturally. This uniqueness mirrors Hawaii's distinct culture and isolation. The goose reflects what makes Hawaii different from every other state.
Native Hawaiian Heritage
Ancient Hawaiians lived alongside Nene for generations. The bird appears in traditional songs and stories. Its Hawaiian name 'nēnē' comes from its gentle call. Modern Hawaii honors this cultural connection through the state bird.
Environmental Awareness
Choosing an endangered bird sent a clear message in 1957. Hawaii cared about protecting native species. The Nene reminds residents that conservation needs constant work. One introduced predator could threaten recovery gains.
Physical Characteristics of the Nene
Distinctive Coloring
Black head and hindneck create a striking pattern. Buff-colored cheeks contrast sharply with dark feathers. The neck shows deep furrows or grooves unique among geese. Gray-brown feathers cover the back and wings. White undertail coverts mark the rear.
Feet Adaptation
Reduced webbing between toes helps walk on lava rock. Canada Geese have full webbing for swimming. The Nene needs less water than other geese. Strong legs and feet suit Hawaii's rough volcanic terrain.
Size Comparison
Nene measure about 16 inches tall. Weight ranges from 3-7 pounds depending on season. Smaller than Canada Geese but larger than ducks. Males (ganders) slightly exceed females (geese) in size.
Bill and Eyes
A short black bill helps graze on low vegetation. Dark eyes blend with the black head. The bill is smaller than water-feeding geese. This adaptation suits Hawaii's terrestrial feeding habits.
Behavior & Habits of the Nene
Vocalizations
The soft 'nay-nay' call gives the bird its Hawaiian name. Males produce louder calls than females. Groups call back and forth to maintain contact. The sound carries across Hawaii's open volcanic slopes.
Feeding Behavior
Nene graze on native grasses, berries, and leaves. They prefer ohelo berries and kukaenene plants. Morning and evening feeding periods are most active. Hawaii's introduced grasses now form part of their diet.
Breeding and Nesting
Pairs form long-term bonds that last years. Nesting season runs October through March in Hawaii. Females lay 2-5 eggs in ground nests. Both parents guard the nest but only females incubate. Goslings hatch after 29-32 days.
Parental Care
Parents lead goslings to feeding areas within days of hatching. Young birds stay with parents for their first year. Family groups remain together through the molting season. This extended care helps young birds learn Hawaii's terrain.
Daily Activity Pattern
Nene are most active during cooler morning and evening hours. Midday rest periods help avoid Hawaii's hot sun. They walk considerable distances while foraging. Flight is less common than in other goose species.
Habitat & Conservation in Hawaii
Where to Find Nene in Hawaii
Hawaii Island (Big Island) hosts the largest wild population. Haleakala National Park on Maui protects important breeding groups. Kauai has a growing reintroduced population. Small numbers live on Molokai. The birds prefer mid-elevation areas between 5,000-8,000 feet.
Habitat Requirements
Open grasslands with scattered shrubs provide ideal conditions. Nene need areas free from dense forest. Volcanic slopes with native plants support the best populations. Access to water sources matters during breeding season.
Current Conservation Status
The IUCN lists the Nene as Vulnerable as of 2019. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service still considers it Endangered federally. Hawaii maintains state protections under endangered species law. Population trends show continued slow increase.
Major Threats in Hawaii
Introduced mongooses kill eggs and young birds. Feral cats prey on goslings and adults. Wild pigs destroy nesting habitat and native plants. Vehicle strikes kill Nene on Hawaii roads. Habitat loss continues as development expands.
Conservation Success Factors
Captive breeding programs produced thousands of birds for release. Predator control in protected areas reduced egg losses. Fencing keeps pigs and goats out of critical habitat. Public education decreased vehicle strikes. Habitat restoration replanted native vegetation.
How to Help Nene in Hawaii
- Drive slowly in areas with Nene crossing signs on Hawaii roads
- Never feed wild Nene — it changes natural behavior
- Keep dogs leashed in Hawaii parks where Nene live
- Report injured Nene to Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
- Support Hawaii conservation organizations protecting native species
- Volunteer for habitat restoration projects in Hawaii
- Report mongoose and feral cat sightings near Nene habitat
- Donate to captive breeding programs in Hawaii
Interesting Facts About Hawaii's Nene
Fact 1 of 14
Hawaii is the only state with the Nene as its official bird
Nene Songs & Calls
Hear the clear whistles and sharp calls of the Nene. These field recordings capture their distinctive voice in natural habitat.
Audio licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and scientific databases.
Official Hawaii state law designating the Nene (Hawaiian Goose) as the state bird. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
State wildlife agency information on Nene biology, threats, and conservation actions in Hawaii. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Accessible species account for the Hawaiian Goose with identification, behavior, and conservation notes. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
National Park Service overview of the Nene, its status as Hawaii's state bird, and conservation within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Birding resource with information on Hawaiian Goose distribution in Hawaii and recommended viewing locations. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
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