illustrated by Cissy Gray

University of Hawaii Press  1993

Nēnē, sometimes called mountain geese, are Hawaii’s state bird. At one time, only 50 individuals existed in the wild, but a restoration project brought the Nēnē back from the brink of extinction. Now, small flocks live on the islands of Hawaii and Kauai. Nēnē are still endangered and may be the rarest geese in the world.

Nēnē mate for life. This pair stroll on a Kauai golf course.

Nēnē are carefully monitored. Note the bands on each leg.