Greater Rhea
Rhea americana
-Smaller and fluffier than ostriches, these flightless birds are ‘endemic’ to the southern regions of South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay)
-'Endemic’ means that it is native or restricted to a certain area, in other words, only found there in the wild
-Rheas, like ostriches and emus, are ‘ratites’, meaning they lack the keel of the breastbone which flight muscles are attached to in flying birds.
-Grasses and insects are staples of the rhea’s diet, and in agricultural areas, alfalfa plays a role
-Mating season: Late fall to early winter
-Offspring: 20-80 large, white eggs laid in the spring every other day for 7-15 days **More than one female may lay eggs in the same nest so any given nest can contain large numbers
-Eggs are incubated and protected by the males
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
We have an older female named ‘Daisy’ with the Springbok and a set of siblings with the Guanacos.
Rhea americana
-Smaller and fluffier than ostriches, these flightless birds are ‘endemic’ to the southern regions of South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay)
-'Endemic’ means that it is native or restricted to a certain area, in other words, only found there in the wild
-Rheas, like ostriches and emus, are ‘ratites’, meaning they lack the keel of the breastbone which flight muscles are attached to in flying birds.
-Grasses and insects are staples of the rhea’s diet, and in agricultural areas, alfalfa plays a role
-Mating season: Late fall to early winter
-Offspring: 20-80 large, white eggs laid in the spring every other day for 7-15 days **More than one female may lay eggs in the same nest so any given nest can contain large numbers
-Eggs are incubated and protected by the males
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
We have an older female named ‘Daisy’ with the Springbok and a set of siblings with the Guanacos.