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Scientific
Name: Rhea americana
Size: 1.5 metres tall
Weight: 35 kgs
IUCN Endangered Species?: Near Threatened
Estimated Wild Population:
Distribution: Mainly Argentina &
Brazil
Description: The
rhea is one of the ‘ratites’, a group of large, flightless birds
found in south America, Africa and Australasia.
The rhea is from the pampas grasslands of South America.
Ratites all have many features in common, even though they exist
today in completely separate populations.
Although the wings are useless for flight, the rhea uses them
when running at speed to help change direction quickly.
Also, they are used by the male in courtship, either to impress a
female, or to threaten rival males.
Rhea are unusual in that the male will incubate the eggs and care
for the chicks. He attracts several females to his nest and entices each of
them to lay a clutch of eggs. When
enough eggs are laid, he incubates them and the chicks stay with him
until they are old enough to care for themselves.
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