Rhea
by Deena Stoddard
Title
Rhea
Artist
Deena Stoddard
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Rheas are large, flightless birds with grey-brown plumage, long legs and long necks, similar to an ostrich.
Rheas are from South America only and are limited within the continent to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. They are grassland birds and both species prefer open land. The Greater Rhea live in open grasslands, pampas, and chaco woodlands. They prefer to breed near water and prefer lowlands.
For the most part, Rheas are vegetarian and prefer broad-leafed plants but will also eat fruits, seeds and roots, as well as insects such as grasshoppers and small reptiles and rodents. Young rheas will generally eat only insects for the first few days. Outside of the breeding season they will gather in flocks and will feed with deer and cattle.
Rheas have many uses in South America. Feathers are used for feather dusters, skins are used for cloaks or leather, and their meat is a staple to many people. The gaucho people traditionally hunt rheas on horseback, throwing bolas, a throwing device consisting of three balls joined by rope, at their legs which immobilizes the bird. The Rhea is pictured on Argentina's 1 Centavo coin minted in 1987.
This specimen was captured at Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Missouri.
All images © 2011-2020 Deena Stoddard ~ All Rights Reserved
Uploaded
November 12th, 2013
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