Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae

Listing Status:   

General Information

Somewhat similiar in appearance to a Canada Goose except only the face, cap, and hindneck 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. It is also interesting to note that the dusty black feet of this goose are not completely webbed as in all other geese. Usually smaller than the Canada Goose (25" to 43"), the Nene ranges in size from approximately 21" to 26" inches in length.

Lead Region:  Pacific Region (Region 1)
Date Listed: Mar 11, 1967

  • States/US Territories in which the Hawaiian goose is known to occur:  Hawaii
  • USFWS Refuges in which the Hawaiian goose is known to occur:  HAKALAU FOREST NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
  • For more information:  http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/wesa/nene.html

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 9 : view all)
Date Citation Page Title
03/16/2009 74 FR 11130 11133 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 103 Species in Hawaii
12/29/2006 71 FR 78452 78454 Availability of a Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for Five Species of Birds in Kauai, Maui, HI, and Honolulu Counties, HI
10/04/2005 70 FR 57888 57889 Application for an Incidental Take Permit for the Kaheawa Pastures Wind Generation Facility, Ukumehame, Maui, Hawaii
09/24/2004 69 FR 57356 57357 Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Nene or Hawaiian Goose(Branta sandvicensis)
05/07/2004 69 FR 25599 25600 Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for the Introduction of Nene to Piiholo Ranch, Maui, HI

» Recovery

Recovery Plan Information Search
Current Recovery Plan(s)
Date Title Plan Action Status Plan Status
09/24/2004 Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Nene or Hawaiian Goose (Branta sandvicensis) View Implementation Progress Draft Revision 1
Other Recovery Documents (Showing 2 of 2 )
Date Citation Page Title Document Type
03/16/2009 74 FR 11130 11133 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 103 Species in Hawaii
  • Notice 5-year Review, Initiation
    • 09/24/2004 69 FR 57356 57357 Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Nene or Hawaiian Goose(Branta sandvicensis)
  • Notice Draft Recovery Plan Availability

    • » Critical Habitat

    No critical habitat rules have been published for the Hawaiian goose.

    » Conservation Plans

    Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) (learn more) (Showing 1 of 1 )
    HCP Plan Summaries
    Kaheawa Pastures Windfarm - Maui
    Safe Harbor Agreements (SHA): (learn more) (Showing 5 of 5 )
    SHA Plan Summaries
    Molokai Programmatic SHA for Nene
    Pi`iholo Ranch - Nene Reintroduction
    Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement Covering Hawaiian Goose, Duck, Moorhen, Coot, and Stilt for Participants of USDA Farm Bill Conservation Programs
    Puu O Hoku Ranch - Nene Reintroduction
    Umikoa Ranch

    » Petitions

    No petition findings have been published for the Hawaiian goose.

    » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: November 22, 2009