m (→References: Typo) |
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====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
Five subspecies are recognized<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | Five subspecies are recognized<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | ||
− | * ''R. a. | + | * ''R. a. araneipes'' - western [[Brazil]] (southern Rondônia and Mato Grosso), eastern [[Bolivia]], and western [[Paraguay]] (chaco region) |
− | * ''R. a. | + | * ''R. a. americana'' - central and northeastern [[Brazil]] (to Rio Grande do Norte) to southern [[Brazil]] (south to São Paulo and Paraná) |
− | * ''R. a. nobilis'' - | + | * ''R. a. nobilis'' - Eastern [[Paraguay]] (east of the Río Paraguay) |
− | * ''R. a. | + | * ''R. a. albescens'' - Plains of [[Argentina]] south to Río Negro |
− | * ''R. a. | + | * ''R. a. intermedia'' - extreme southern [[Brazil]] (Rio Grande do Sul) and [[Uruguay]] |
− | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
[[Image:29815.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Displaying male<br />Photo by {{user|Daniesser|Daniesser}}<br />Bonito-MS, [[Brazil]], September 2009]] | [[Image:29815.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Displaying male<br />Photo by {{user|Daniesser|Daniesser}}<br />Bonito-MS, [[Brazil]], September 2009]] | ||
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Classified as Near Threatened, rheas are hunted for food and are regarded as a pest by some farmers. They are also killed for their feathers which are used in feather dusters sold mainly in Japan and the USA. | Classified as Near Threatened, rheas are hunted for food and are regarded as a pest by some farmers. They are also killed for their feathers which are used in feather dusters sold mainly in Japan and the USA. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
− | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug18}}#Avibase |
#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved August 2014) | #Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved August 2014) | ||
#Statemaster | #Statemaster |
Revision as of 19:16, 19 August 2018
Alternative Names: Gray Rhea, Common Rhea, American Rhea.
- Rhea americana
Identification
Length: 129 cm (51 in). Weight: Wt. 25 kg (55 lbs)
The Greater Rhea is not only the largest species of Rhea but the largest American bird.
Similar Species
The Greater Rhea has many similarities to the Ostrich but it is about half the height at 1.5 metres and it has a feathered rather than a bare neck.
Since the Rhea is found only in South America, there will be no confusion with the African Ostrich.
Distribution
South America: found in Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Five subspecies are recognized[1]:
- R. a. araneipes - western Brazil (southern Rondônia and Mato Grosso), eastern Bolivia, and western Paraguay (chaco region)
- R. a. americana - central and northeastern Brazil (to Rio Grande do Norte) to southern Brazil (south to São Paulo and Paraná)
- R. a. nobilis - Eastern Paraguay (east of the Río Paraguay)
- R. a. albescens - Plains of Argentina south to Río Negro
- R. a. intermedia - extreme southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and Uruguay
Habitat
Grassland, savanna, scrub forest, chaparral, and even desert, but prefers areas with at least some tall vegetation.
Behaviour
Due to their remarkable immune system injured birds heal swiftly with little intervention.
Diet
They are omnivorous but their main diet is plant based, including seeds, roots, leaves and fruit, supplemented with insects.
Breeding
During breeding season (which ranges from August to January in South America, April to August in North America), it stays near water. Males are highly territorial.
Status
Classified as Near Threatened, rheas are hunted for food and are regarded as a pest by some farmers. They are also killed for their feathers which are used in feather dusters sold mainly in Japan and the USA.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved August 2014)
- Statemaster
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Greater Rhea. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Greater_Rhea