Greater Rhea

Overview

Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) is a species of Rheas (Rheidae) in the order Rheas. A large flightless South American bird, gray-brown with long legs, roaming grasslands in flocks; males incubate eggs of several females and raise the chicks; feeds on plants and insects; similar in habit to an ostrich but smaller.

Scientific Classification

Genus: Rhea; binomial: Rhea americana; authority: (Linnaeus, 1758). Typical size: 130-150cm. Average lifespan: 15-25 years.

Distribution

Breeding range: South America.

Conservation Status

This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.

Remarks

No additional remarks recorded.