nene

plural nenes · alternative nēnē

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

   The nene is a handsome bird that almost became extinct in the wild but was reintroduced successfully from ones bred in captivity.

   2004, Richard [Alan] Fortey, The Earth: An Intimate History, London: HarperCollins, →ISBN; republished London: Folio Society, 2011, →OCLC, page 37

   4 more examples

   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.

   1980, Janet Kear, A. J. Berger, “The Hawaiian Goose or Nene”, in The Hawaiian Goose: An Experiment in Conservation, Calton, Staffordshire: T. & A. D. Poyser, →ISBN; reprinted London: T. & A. D. Poyser, 2010, →ISBN, page 42

   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.

   1991, Susan Scott, Plants and Animals of Hawai‘i, Honolulu, Hi.: Bess Press, →ISBN, page 123

   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.

   1993, Marion Coste, Nēnē (Kolowalu Book), Honolulu, Hi.: University of Hawaii Press, →ISBN, page 20

   Among the iconic flora and fauna found here are […] the endangered nene (Hawaiian goose). After almost going extinct, nene were reintroduced into the national park in 1962 when Boy Scouts carried geese that had been raised in captivity down into Haleakala volcano in their backpacks.

   2011, Sara Benson, “Haleakala National Park”, in Maui: Must-do Hikes for Everyone (Top Trails), Birmingham, Ala.: Wilderness Press, →ISBN, page 197

   Synonyms: Hawaiian goose, nēnē goose

1. A river that rises in Northamptonshire, England, and flows through Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire to the sea at The Wash.