Home › Aves › Rheidae › Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)
SPECIES PROFILE
Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)
Rhea
IUCN STATUS
Near Threatened
CONSERVATION STATUS
Near Threatened
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Eastern South America
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Grassland, pampas and open savanna
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Rheiformes
FAMILY
Rheidae
GENUS
Rhea
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 1.5 m tall; 20-27 kg
COLORATION
Grey-brown plumage
ADAPTATIONS
Flightless but fast; males incubate the eggs
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Grassland, pampas and open savanna
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Eastern South America
REPRODUCTION
Male incubates a communal clutch
DIET DETAILS
Plants, seeds and insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Grassland loss, egg collection
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The largest bird in the Americas, sprinting across the pampas at up to 60 km/h.
2
A single male may incubate 30-50 eggs laid by several females.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Ibera Wetlands
Buenos Aires pampas
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Scan open pampas and grassland from the road; large flocks run in the distance.
