Greater Rhea

     The Greater Rhea, also known as the Gray, the Common or the American Rhea, is a flightless bird native to the eastern part of South America. It is not only the largest species of the genus Rhea but also the largest American bird alive. A feral population of Greater Rheas in Germany appears to be growing in recent years too.

     The Greater Rhea has a fluffy, tattered-looking plumage. Its feathers are grey or brown with high individual variation (there are individuals with white plumage and blue eyes). In general, male rheas are darker than female birds and can weigh up to 40 kilograms and measure over 150 cm long. Males are solitary in the spring which is the breeding season, but in the winter, these birds are social and flock together.

     The female Greater rhea lays 5 – 10 greenish yellow eggs per clutch of weight 600 g per each. The male incubates the eggs laid by his mates for almost 6 weeks and raises the chicks alone. Greater Rheas enjoy eating plants, fruits, and seeds but also eat insects, lizards and other small animals.

     For a long time, Greater rheas were hunted for their meat, eggs, skins and feathers, and now there are dedicated farm for raising them. There are 5 subspecies for the Greater rhea that vary mainly in the extent of the black coloring of the throat, and their height.