# Hawaiian Goose (*Branta sandvicensis*) The Hawaiian Goose, also known as the Nene, is a special bird that lives in Hawaii. It has a unique, soft honking sound and loves to waddle around on the ground, making it a fun sight to see! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Nene ![Hawaiian Goose](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Branta_sandvicensis_-Kilauea_Point_National_Wildlife_Refuge%252C_Hawaii%252C_USA-8.jpg&width=800) Photo: Brenda Zaun of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Branta_sandvicensis_-Kilauea_Point_National_Wildlife_Refuge%252C_Hawaii%252C_USA-8.jpg) ## Appearance The Hawaiian Goose has a dark brown body with a black head and neck, accented by distinctive cream-colored cheeks. Its deeply furrowed neck feathers give it a unique striped appearance. Unlike most geese, it has reduced webbing on its feet, adapted for walking across rocky terrain. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Anseriformes - **Family:** Anatidae - **Genus:** Branta ## Interesting facts - Its soft "honk" sounds more like a gentle moo than a loud goose call! - Scientists believe its ancestors flew all the way from Canada! - The Hawaiian Goose is the rarest goose in the world! It almost went extinct. - Unlike most geese, it rarely swims and prefers walking on land. ## Special abilities - **Lava-Proof Feet:** Hawaiian Goose has uniquely less webbed feet that help them grip and walk easily over rough, uneven volcanic terrain. - **Endurance Walker:** Hawaiian Goose can journey long distances on land because its strong legs are perfectly adapted for hiking across varied Hawaiian landscapes. - **Brackish Water Sipper:** Hawaiian Goose can drink slightly salty water, helping them find hydration in coastal areas where freshwater sources are limited. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 53-66 cm - **Wingspan:** 100-130 cm - **Weight:** 1.5-3 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-20 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-5 - **Incubation:** 29-32 days ## Diet & Feeding The Hawaiian Goose loves to munch on many different plants found on its island home. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, leaves, seeds, berries, flowers, ferns - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Small Indian Mongoose](https://www.snappit.app/explore/small-indian-mongoose) (*Herpestes javanicus*) — Introduced mongoose prey on Nene eggs and young goslings. - **Eaten by:** Feral Cat (*Felis catus*) — Feral cats hunt Nene goslings and sometimes adult birds. - **Eats:** [Bermuda Grass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bermuda-grass) (*Cynodon dactylon*) — Nenes graze on Bermuda grass, a common food source in their habitat. - **Eats:** 'Akala (Hawaiian Raspberry) (*Rubus hawaiensis*) — Nenes forage for the berries and leaves of 'Akala plants. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance and don't try to touch wild birds. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hawaiian Goose? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Hawaiian Goose? 53-66 cm ### What is Hawaiian Goose's wingspan? 100-130 cm ### How much does Hawaiian Goose weigh? 1.5-3 kg ### How long does Hawaiian Goose live? 8-20 years ### How fast can Hawaiian Goose move? 60 km/h ### What does Hawaiian Goose eat? The Hawaiian Goose loves to munch on many different plants found on its island home. ### Where is Hawaiian Goose usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Allerton Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/allerton-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [National Tropical Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-tropical-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Puna-Ka'u Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/puna-kau-historic-district) — Hawaii, US · Historic District - [Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaka-i-wilderness-preserve) — Hawaii, US · Nature Reserve - [Crater Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crater-historic-district) — Hawaii, US · Historic District - [Kula Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kula-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Hawaiian Goose](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hawaiian-goose) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Hawaiian Goose: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hawaiian-goose)