GREATER RHEA

Rhea americana

  • Common name:
    GREATER RHEA

    Scientific name:
    Rhea americana

    Class:
    Birds

    Order:
    Struzioniformi

    Family:
    Reidi

    Provenance:
    South America

    Diet:
    herbs – insects – small vertebrates

    Habitat:
    Pampas and wooded areas with scattered trees

    Reproduction:
    spawn: 15-30 – Incubation: 35-40 days

  • The Greater Rhea is also called “American Ostrich”. It lives in the pampas and open forests in groups of 3-15 females with a larger male leader. It is unable to fly, but is an excellent runner. It has a strong body with stocky legs. It weighs 20-25kg and is 130cm tall. Of tame character, the Greater Rhea defends itself from attack thanks to its fast running.
    It fights furiously with other males during the mating season. When females lays their eggs, they do so in groups with each female laying the egg in the same place and the male nesting them.
    The eggs hatch in 35-40 days.
    The feathers are low quality and their meat is not good, so man has always hunted them only for sport.