Nēnē-nui

The nēnē-nui (Hawaiian: "great nēnē") or wood-walking goose (translation of scientific name Branta hylobadistes) is an extinct species of goose that once inhabited Maui and possibly (or closely related species) Kauai, Oahu and perhaps Molokai in the Hawaiian Islands. It is known from a large number of subfossil bones (several thousand bones from many dozens of individuals) found in Holocene cave sediments.

==Evolution== The nēnē-nui (along with the nēnē and the extinct giant Hawaii goose) evolved from the Canada goose which migrated to the islands near the start of the Holocene period, and adapted to the Pacific's tropical environment. This evolution is evidenced from both genetic similarities and outward appearances. An example of this is that Canada geese have black necks, whereas the surviving nēnē are similar in that they have the sides and front of their necks buff-colored with dark furrows. Scientists have also concluded that the two major reasons for this evolution were the loss of migration as well as the change in habitat, which eventually led to the goose's change in wingspan and change in the depth of their skulls and bills.