NeNe

The NeNe, or Hawaiian goose, is the rarest goose in the world. Once very numerous, the Asian mongoose, pigs, and cats, reduced the population to 30 birds by 1952. After near-extinction, they were bred in captivity and released back to several Hawaiian islands. There are now only about 2500 NeNe in the world.

The NeNe evolved from the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), which most likely arrived on the Hawaiian islands about 500,000 years ago, shortly after the island of Hawaiʻi was formed.

The NeNe is a medium-sized goose at 41 centimetres (16 in) tall. Although they spend most of their time on the ground, they are capable of flight. Interestingly, since they spend their time on land, they have evolved to have only about 25% of normal goose webbing between the toes and ample toe pads. This allows them to move around on the lava fields and brush more easily. The heavily furrowed neck is very striking and beautiful.

Volcanoes National Park, Big Island, Hawaii (wild, not captive bird)

2014:02:09 18:57:30
D800
500mm
1/500 sec, f/5.6
Mode: Av
Metering: Spot
ISO: 800
AF mode: AF-C
White balance: AUTO1+2
Flash: Off