26 Down

NYT Daily • September 2, 2025

Hawaiian goose

Answer:

NENE

Hint:

Not available

Explanation:

The clue "Hawaiian goose" points directly to the nene, which is the state bird of Hawaii and the world’s rarest goose. The name comes from its soft call, pronounced "nay-nay," and it’s a well-known symbol of Hawaiian wildlife. There’s no wordplay here—it’s a straightforward definition, so if you know your birds or Hawaiian culture, nene is the obvious fit.

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