ganso de hawaii

1. Nombre del ave
The bird species is the Hawaiian Goose, better known as the Nene pronounced “nay-nay”. It has a more scientific Latin name, Branta sandvicensis.

2. Aspecto
The Hawaiian Goose is a medium to large goose, standing at 16 inches high at the shoulder. It bears a close physical resemblance to the Canada Goose but is smaller and rotund with a distinguishing dark face. Their bodies are gray-brown and the feathers, a mix of subdued whites, grays, and blacks. They have a black head and bill, buff cheeks and heavily furrowed necks. Furthermore, they possess half-webbed feet, owing to the rugged volcanic terrain they inhabit. There is no significant difference in physical appearance between males and females.

3. Tamaño
Hawaiian Geese measure between 55 to 65 cm in length and weigh roughly ranging from 1.3 to 3 kg. They have an ashen wingspan that measures around 1.1 to 1.2 meters.

4. Hábitat y distribución
Endemic only to the Hawaiian Islands, hence their name, and Hawaii’s state bird. They inhabit shrublands, grasslands, coastal dunes, and even some human-modified environments. A large part of the population resides in Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park.

5. Datos de interés
The Nene is the world’s rarest goose and was down to only 30 birds in 1952, primarily due to hunting and introduced predators like rats, cats, and mongoose. The Hawaiian Goose does not migrate, staying in their place of birth all their life, an uncommon trait among geese. They’re named after their soft and gentle call that sounds like “nay-nay”.

6. Dieta
Their diet consists mainly of vegetation, including leaves, seeds, fruits, and flowers. They may occasionally munch on small invertebrates as well.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
They are known for their ‘nay-nay’ call and a hissing warning signal. The Hawaiian Goose is typically monogamous and mates for life, with the female responsible for incubating eggs and rearing the young. They are diurnal, being active during the day.

8. Estado de conservación
According to the IUCN Red List, they’re classified as “Vulnerable”. Conservation efforts have steadily increased their population, but they still face threats from habitat loss, disease, and predation by introduced mammals.

9. Vida útil
In the wild, they can live up to an estimated 20 years. With more controlled environments in captivity, the lifespan can reach as high as 24-28 years.

10. Notas adicionales:
In Hawaiian culture, the Nene is a symbol of marital fidelity because they mate for life. They’re also known to have little fear of humans, which subjects them to high risk of vehicle strikes. Due to their long habitation in isolated Hawaiian Islands, they perform a unique ecological role by spreading seeds across the islands. The indigenous Hawaiians did not hunt the geese heavily due to the taboo (kapu) system, which assigned guardianship of certain gods to specific animals.

In conclusion, the Nene, the Hawaiian Goose, is an extraordinary bird species. Despite having faced near extinction, the species is now slowly rebounding, thanks to relentless conservation efforts. Not only is this Hawaiian Goose a remarkable symbol of survival, but also of monogamy and guardianship in the unique Pacific culture.