nene

Definition

The Hawaiian goose, Branta sandvicensis, which was designated the state bird of Hawaii in 1957.

Etymology

Borrowed from Hawaiian nēnē, which is imitative of the bird’s call.

Example Sentences

• "Ohelo Vaccinium reticulatum (and V. peleanum) and kukaenene Coprosma ernodeoides […] are the most important berries in the Nenes’ diet, and it is probably from such juicy fruit that much of their water intake comes."
• "Today, both wild and domestic dogs are a serious threat to Hawai‘i's native wildlife. The dogs prey on both seabirds and open country birds, especially the Hawaiian goose, nēnē. However, feral dogs aren't all bad, because one of their favorite foods is rats."
• "Scientists think the nēnē descended from Canada geese that landed on Hawai‘i long before humans arrived. As they survived on the isolated islands for generation after generation, the geese gradually changed, becoming a new species. Today's nēnē, unlike its water-loving ancestor, is a land bird."