From Opus

Rhea americana

Alternative Names: Gray Rhea, Common Rhea, American Rhea.

Photo by Gary Clark
Location: Banks of Rio Paraná near Zarate, Argentina.

[edit] Identification

Length: 129 cm (51 in). Weight: Wt. 25 kg (55 lbs)
The Greater Rhea is not only the largest species of Rhea but the largest American bird.

[edit] Similar Species

The Greater Rhea has many similarities to the Ostrich but it is about half the height at 1.5 metres and it has a feathered rather than a bare neck. Since the Rhea is found only in South America, there will be no confusion with the African Ostrich.

[edit] Distribution

It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

[edit] Taxonomy

Five subspecies are recognized^[1]:

• R. a. americana - Campos of n and e Brazil
• R. a. intermedia - Extreme se Brazil and Uruguay
• R. a. nobilis - E Paraguay
• R. a. araneipes - Chaco of Paraguay to Bolivia and Mato Grosso in Brazil
• R. a. albescens - Plains of Argentina south to Rio Negro

[edit] Habitat

Grassland, savanna, scrub forest, chaparral, and even desert, but prefers areas with at least some tall vegetation.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

Farmers sometimes consider them pests, because they will eat some crop plants. Because of this habit, farmers sometimes kill the birds. This, along with egg gathering and habitat loss, has led to a sharp population decline; the species is listed as being of "special concern." They do not eat most crop plants, but they will eat brassicas (cabbage, and baby chard and bok choi) if very hungry soybean leaves. Rheas disdain grasses.

[edit] Breeding

During breeding season (which ranges from August to January in South America, April to August in North America), it stays near water.

[edit] Discussion

[edit] Status

Classified as Near Threatened, rheas are hunted for food and are regarded as a pest by some farmers. They are also killed for their feathers which are used in feather dusters sold mainly in Japan and the USA.

Rheas have an incredible immune system that allows injured birds to heal rapidly with little intervention. This is reflected in the commercial uses of the animal. The fat of the birds is used as an anti-inflammatory salve. Use of the meat as an energy supplement is patented in the U.S. and Canada by an American woman who has spent 12 years working to reduce chick mortality and provide a commercial basis for the species, trying to ensure its long-term survival.

Male rheas are very territorial during breeding season. The infant chicks are highly intolerant of toxins, having high mortality in typical farming situations. Baby chicks under optimum conditions will grow to four feet tall by their fifth month.

[edit] References

1. Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019

[edit] External Links