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Rhea (bird)
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The rheas are species of flightless ratite birds in the genus Rhea, native to South America. There are two existing species: the Greater or American Rhea and the Lesser or Darwin's Rhea. The genus name was given in 1752 by Paul Mohring and adopted as the English common name. Mohring's reason for choosing this name, from the Rhea of classical mythology, is not known.
s are large, flightless birds with grey-brown plumage, long legs and long necks, similar to an ostrich.
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Encyclopedia
The rheas are species of flightless ratite birds in the genus Rhea, native to South America. There are two existing species: the Greater or American Rhea and the Lesser or Darwin's Rhea. The genus name was given in 1752 by Paul Mohring and adopted as the English common name. Mohring's reason for choosing this name, from the Rhea of classical mythology, is not known.
Description
Rheas are large, flightless birds with grey-brown plumage, long legs and long necks, similar to an ostrich. These birds can reach , and weigh up to . Their wings are large for a flightless bird and are spread while running, to act like sails. Unlike most birds, rheas have only three toes. Their tarsus has horizontal plates on the front of it. They also store urine separate in an expansion of the cloaca.
Taxonomy
The recognised subspecies are:
- Greater Rhea Rhea americana
- Lesser Rhea Rhea pennata
Rhea pennata was not always in the Rhea genus. In 2008 the SACC, the last holdout, approved th merging of the genera, Rhea and Pterocnemia on August 7, 2008. With this merging of genera it leaves only the Rhea genus. There is a possible third species Rhea nana, however the only evidence of this was one egg found by Lydekker in Patagonia.
Behavior
Individual and flocking
Rheas tend to be silent birds with the exception being when they are chicks and when the male is seeking a female mate. During the non-breeding season they may form flocks of between 10 and 100 birds, although the lesser rhea forms smaller flocks than this. When in danger they flee in a zig-zag course, utilizing first one wing then the other, similar to a rudder. During breeding season the flocks break up.
Food
They are omnivorous, preferring broad-leafed plants, but also eating seeds, roots, fruit, lizards, beetles, grasshoppers, and carrion.
Reproduction
Rheas are polygamous, with males courting between two to twelve females. After mating, the male builds a nest, in which each female lays her eggs in turn. The nest consists of a simple scrape in the ground, lined with grass and leaves. The male incubates from ten to sixty eggs. The male will utilize a decoy system and place some eggs outside the nest and sacrifice these to predators, so that they won't attempt to get inside the nest. The male may utilize another subordinate male to incubate his eggs, while he finds another harem to start a second nest. The chicks hatch within 36 hours of each other. The females, meanwhile, may move on and mate with other males. While caring for the young, the males will charge at any perceived threat that approach the chicks including female rheas and humans. The young reach full adult size in about six months, but do not breed until they reach two years of age..
Human interaction
Rheas have many uses with the people of South America. Feathers are used for feather dusters, skins are used for cloaks, or turned into leather, and their meat is a staple to many people.
Footnotes
External links
- on the Internet Bird Collection
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