In fact, this bird still lives today. The last name recalls the fact that the Hawaiian Islands were once called the Sandwich Islands. The nene spends its time on volcanic slopes, rather than in water. That s why its feet aren t as deeply webbed as are those of its cousin, the Canada goose. Ibises lived in ancient Hawaii, too.
Modern ibises are long-legged birds with long, curved beaks.
They wade in water and are excellent flyers. No one had ever heard of a flightless ibis until fossils of several species were found on Molokai and Maui. Scientists were surprised at their short legs. Apparently, these ibises had adapted to life on land. Among the most common flightless birds on islands around the world today are rails.