Nene in the Lava Fields
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
Nene in the Lava Fields
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
A pair of Nene feeding in the lava fields at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The official state bird of Hawaii, the Nene has endured a long struggle against extinction. During the 1940s, this beautiful goose was almost wiped out by laws which allowed the birds to be hunted during their winter breeding season when they were the most vulnerable. Although now protected by the Federal Endangered Species List, they are still threatened by mongooses, feral dogs and cats which prey upon the Nene’s eggs and young.
There is now a small but stable population of Nene on the islands of Hawai’i, Maui, and Kaua’i with about 2000 wild Nene in Hawai’i, the numbers are rising with each breeding season. Wild Nene populations can be seen in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Loa, and Pu’u Wa’awa’a on the island of Hawai’i; in Haleakala National Park on Maui, and at the Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge, along the Na Pali Coast, and outside Lihue on Kaua’i. Captive Nene can be seen at the Honolulu Zoo.
The world’s rarest goose, it is somewhat similar in appearance to a Canada goose except only the face, cap, and hind neck are black; and Nene have buff-colored cheeks. The front and sides of the neck appear to have black and white stripes. This is caused by diagonal rows of white feathers with black skin showing through. Males and females have identical plumage. Usually smaller than the Canada Goose (25″ to 43″), the Nene ranges in size from approximately 21″ to 26″ inches in length. The dusty black feet of the Nene have less webbing allowing them to walk across rough lava rocks in search of their favorite foods, like red ‘ohelo berries.
Special Features:
A Birding Group 10.8.17
Ducks, Geese and Swans 1.20.19
Copyright 2017 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
October 1st, 2017
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