Wednesday, April 17, 2013

USA - Hawaii - State Bird


These Nene or Hawaiian geese are rare and not seen by many visitors to Hawaii. They prefer the Rugged mountain sloped and lava flows in Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui and similar terrain found in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii. The Nene Goose is Hawaii's State Bird.

Sent by Becky from Hawaii, USA.

The Nene (pronounced "nay-nay") is a land bird and a variety of Hawaiian Goose. It has adapted itself to life in the harsh lava country by transforming its webbed feet into a claw-like shape and modifying its wing structure for shorter flights. Hunting and wild animals all but destroyed the species until they were protected by law and a restoration project was established in 1949.
The Hawaiian state bird, the Nene, was a bird not known to Audubon in his time, and was therefore not included in the 1840 edition of Birds of America. (Source)





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