The American rhea is similar to the African ostrich. This is a bird with long limbs and an elongated neck. Although she has wings, she cannot fly. Rhea lives in the savannahs of South America, runs well, and knows how to defend itself from enemies. Birds have long been domesticated by local residents. American rheas are bred in many countries for their tasty but tough meat, large eggs and fat.
Historical information
From time immemorial, rheas from the rhea-like order have lived in South America in the subtropical and temperate zones. These birds were first seen and described in their diaries by the Spanish conquerors who sailed to the South American continent back in the 16th century. These representatives of rheas were domesticated by the ancient Indians. Large birds were bred for meat, eggs, and fat. The Indians decorated their outfits with feathers. The wounds were rubbed with fat. The first emigrants who lived in South America in the 17th and 18th centuries taught these relatives of the African ostrich to guard their homes. The Spaniards kept rheas instead of dogs.
Description and characteristics of rhea
Characteristic features of rheas from South America:
- height - 1.33-1.53 m;
- weight - 30-40 kg;
- the body is oval-shaped, compact;
- the neck is long, the head is small;
- there are short feathers on the neck and head;
- the limbs are long, muscular, the hips are feathered;
- the wings are tightly pressed to the body, the tail is short;
- the plumage is protectively colored, speckled (white-gray-brown);
- the beak is small, straight, with a rounded end;
- the wings are underdeveloped, have one spur at the ends, there are no tail or flight feathers;
- The paws have 3 toes, connected by membranes; there are claws at the ends of the toes.
Lifestyle, behavior and distribution
Representatives of rheas live in savannas, woodlands, plateaus and foothills of South America (in the subtropical and temperate zones). The birds are almost 2 times smaller than the African ostrich. They can be found in Argentina, Brazil, as well as Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, and Uruguay.
There are two types of rhea: northern, or ordinary (lives in the lowlands, savannas) and Darwin, or southern (lives in the southern part of the country, in the foothills).Currently, these relatives of the African ostrich are bred in the USA, Germany and other European countries, as well as in Russia.
Rheas live in large flocks of birds. During the mating season they form families. For the sake of reproduction, they disperse throughout the territory of the pampas. In a family there are 6-7 females per male. Eggs are laid in the spring. Puberty in rheas occurs at 3-4 years of age. Females of the same family lay their eggs in a common nest. The male incubates the clutch. There are 15-40 eggs in the nest, each weighing about 600 grams. Chicks are born after 42-45 days. The male also takes care of the offspring. Chicks weigh about 500 grams. Their body is covered with brownish-white down. By the end of the first year of life, the chicks grow feathers.
Representatives of rheas run fast, reaching speeds of up to 60.5 km/h. They swim well and can cross small rivers. Rheas are good jumpers, capable of jumping over a ditch of 3 meters. Birds do not fly due to their heavy weight. However, they often use their wings while running to maintain balance.
These relatives of African ostriches are active during the day. In extreme heat they hide in the shade and look for food in the evening. Rheas spend their entire day searching for food or resting. In savannas, birds live together with herbivores. These inhabitants of the South American pampas have common enemies; in case of danger, they run away together or defend the territory. The spurs on the rhea's wings help them in battle with the enemy.
These relatives of African ostriches have a voice more similar to the sound made by predators from the cat family. It seems as if the birds are shouting: “Nand-doo, nan-doo.” This sound is made by males during their mating games. In case of danger, the birds hiss, raise their wings, and attack the enemy.
Representatives of the order Rhea-shaped animals eat everything they find in the pampas. They are omnivores. Their diet consists of plant seeds, greens, leaves, fruits, and berries. They eat insects, snakes, small vertebrates, fish, and crustaceans. They regularly swallow small pebbles to help break down food in the stomach. They can go without water for a long time. However, they love to drink and often settle near bodies of water where there is a lot of food.
Species status and relationship with humans
Wild rheas survive in the savannas of South America. Flocks of birds often raid farmers' fields, causing people to exterminate them. True, these relatives of ostriches are indifferent to grains. On the contrary, they eat field pests (mice, insects), and also love green grass.
The number of American rheas is constantly declining. In 1980, the number of wild birds was 50 thousand. Hunting for rheas threatens the species with extinction. One of the rhea subspecies (long-billed) is already listed in the International Red Book (IUCN).
Breeding Features
American rheas are not afraid of humans, are easily tamed and get along with all the inhabitants of the poultry yard. Birds are bred for meat and eggs. Adults or young animals are purchased from nurseries that grow rheas.
Livestock maintenance and care
To keep an American rhea, you need a poultry house and a large aviary as a walking area. During the warm season, birds can be outside all day. However, it is recommended to build a canopy on the territory of the walking area so that the rheas can hide from the heat or rain. Feeders and drinking bowls need to be installed in the enclosure.
Rheas love to rest on a pile of straw on the floor. The litter must be removed when it becomes dirty. The poultry house where the birds are kept should be dry, warm and light. A ventilation system must be installed in the room.
Feeding
The newly born chicks, weighing 0.5 kg, are fed boiled eggs, cottage cheese, and yogurt. Small birds eat up to 1 kilogram of food per day. Gradually, the rhea's diet is enriched with grains, succulent herbs, and vegetables. At three months, birds need 3 kg of feed per day, and at 12 months - 4-5 kg of feed per day. The maximum adult birds gain weight is 40 kilograms.
They feed the rhea with mixed feed, meal, bran, cake, grain mixtures, grass, finely chopped vegetables and fruits. The birds' diet should contain salt, bone meal, chalk, feed yeast, and water.
Reproduction
Rheas are ready to breed at the age of three. Females lay eggs (10-12 eggs each), and males hatch them. Their mating season begins in autumn and ends in winter. The chicks appear 45 days after the start of incubation. Small chicks usually hatch from eggs in the spring. The survival rate of young animals is 80 percent.
Useful tips for beginners
Rheas feel great in captivity, however, when breeding, it is recommended to provide the birds with the same conditions as in the wild. These savannah dwellers love an active lifestyle. Birds must move freely around the enclosure. In summer you can keep them outside all day.
Rheas are unpretentious, eat the same food as chickens, and can adapt to living in any climate. True, breeding these birds is less profitable from an economic point of view than African ostriches.Rheas eat as much as large birds, and their weight is small (only 30-45 kg). At home, they are used as shepherds for geese and sheep. These birds themselves take the flock out to pasture and bring it home themselves, and also drive dogs and foxes away from their charges.
