Nene, the State bird
Aloha,
If you’ve had the opportunity to stay at the Cliff’s condos, you’re probably very familiar with the Nene, (nay-nay) the State bird, as this is one of their homes. On many occasion I’ve walked down my condo steps into a gaggle of them all congregated under a tree or out looking for food.
Found only in the Hawaiian Islands of Kauai, Maui and Molokia, the Nene was on the edge of extinction by 1949, with only 20 to 30 birds remaining in the wild due to uncontrolled hunting and the non-native predators, like the mongoose, pigs and feral cats, which quickly took its toll on the population. Conservation efforts were undertaken when the Nene was adopted as the State bird on May 7, 1957.
Even now the Nene is on the Federal List of Endangered Species, however, the preservation efforts are seeing some success as there are now about 800 wild Nene in Hawai’i and the numbers are rising with each breeding season.
The Nene is a handsome bird with a black head, buff cheeks and heavily furrowed neck. Bill, legs and feet are black. It has longer,stronger legs and almost non-existent webbing on their toes, which is an adaptation to the lava flows on which it breeds. The Nene does not spend much time in the water, does not migrate, and is an herbivore (plant-eater), eating grass and other low-lying plant material. It’s feathers have been used for decades by the native peoples of the islands in ceremonial dress.
Next time you’re on Kauai, don’t be surprised if you think you see a flock of geese flying by, as it will be the Nene. If you have time, stop up at the Cliffs to see them. Please, do not feed them or chase them, as I’ve seen many vistors do. They are a protected species and will stand quite still to allow you to get a beautiful picture of them
Aloha Elaine
Elaine Schaefer (R, CRS, GRI, ABR)
Broker in Charge – Princeville Resort Office
Certified Residential Specialist
Graduate, Realtor’s Institute
Accredited Buyer’s Representative
Top Producer 100% Club
RE/MAX Kauai
Princeville Resort Office
POB 223632
Princeville, HI 96722
cell: 808 639 2935
home fax: 1 808 440 4552
email:soldonkauai@yahoo.com
website: www.KauaiRealEstateNow.com
blog: http://blogs.alohaliving.com/princeville-condo-sales/
……you can have your own piece of paradise
ask me how!
Leave a Comment