Rhea
Greater or American Rhea
Rhea americana
Lesser or Darwin's Rhea
Rhea pennata
A Greater Rhea (with a Brown Chinese Goose)
Photo courtesy of Diana Marek
Rheas are the smallest of the flightless birds (Ratites). They can stand up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and weigh up to 40 kg (88 lb).
They are native to South America. Greater Rheas are found in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and parts of Argentina. Lesser Rheas inhabit Chile, southeastern Peru, southwestern Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina.
The females travel in small groups of 5-7 birds. They will all mate with the same male, who builds a nest and incubates all their eggs (up to 18). Incubation is from 35 to 40 days and the male rears the young by himself. While adults live primarily on grass, the young eat insects until they are about 2 months old and leave their father's protection.
Rhea Links:
You can find Rheas at Jack the Goose's farm
More Greater Rheas
Photos courtesy of Diana Marek
The head of a Greater Rhea
Photo courtesy of Diana Marek
Rheas in a collection in India
Photos courtesy of Roby Alex George
A Rhea and its foot
Photo courtesy of Daniel Sörensen
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Direct questions and comments to Barry at FeatherSite -- questions and comments