Rheidae - Rheas

There are two species of birds in this family. They are found on grasslands in South America.

Rheas eat leaves, roots, seeds, grass, insects, and small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Rheas have long necks; long, powerful legs; and shaggy gray feathers.

The male rhea mates with as many as 8 females. Each female lays as many as 20 eggs in a single nest. The male incubates the all the eggs for 35-40 days.

Male rheas have been known to incubate as many as 60 eggs at a time! The male cares for the chicks and charges after any threat that comes to close to his chicks!

Rheidae Photo Gallery

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North/Central America South America NH Species
Greater Rhea - Rhea americana		Lesser Rhea - Rhea pennata