Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure

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Fast Facts:

The Greater Rhea is a large South American bird that resembles an ostrich.
Rhea cannot fly, but has unusually long wings they use as a rudder to help avoid predators.
Also called a nandu after its call.

Rhea

Scientific Name	Rhea americana
Classification	Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Vertebrata Order: Aves Family: Rheidae
Status	Stable but declining
Range	Central and Eastern South America
Habitat	Pampas. Avoids open grasslands
Diet	Grasses, herbs, insects and small animals
Size	Height: 5 feet Weight: 44-55 lbs.
Lifespan
Location
Print Fact Sheet	Rhea

Special Features

The beak is up to 5 inches long and is used to bite enemies and snap up prey.
Its powerful legs help it move with great speed across the pampas. Each stride can span up to 6.5 feet. Can run up to 30 mph.
Each foot has three toes.
Named for Rhea the mother of Zeus.
Has excellent hearing and vision.
Gets most of its water from vegetation.

Social Structure & Behavior

Live in flocks of 20-30 birds.

Breeding & Care of Young
Sexual maturity is 2-3 years. Lays 13-30 eggs. Incubation is 25-40 days. The males incubate the eggs and will even vigorously defend the nest, even from females. One brood per year. One Rhea egg is equal in volume to 12 chicken eggs. The cock cares for the chicks for 6 months.