Branta sandvicensis

(Vigors, 1834)

Vernacular names
English : Hawaiian goose
French : Bernache néné

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Anseriformes
Family : Anatidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows to 69 cm in length for a weight of 3 kg. Face and crown black, breast clear greyish-yellow to light brown, flanks and back brown with clear edges to feathers. Cheeks and neck beige with black streaks on sides of neck.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to Hawaii and occurs in the wild on Hawaii, Kauai an Maui islands. It is the only goose species not occurring in continental areas. Lives in lowland leeward and mid to high altitude grasslands.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species went nearly extinct in the 1950s and has been saved thanks to major captive breeding efforts. Its wild populations are slowly recovering.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation

 

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