DARWIN´S RHEA

Common name : Darwin´s Rhea 

Scientific name : Rhea pennata

Order : Rheiformes

Length : Between 36 and 39 inches

DESCRIPTION

Their weight ranges between 15 and 25 kg. Males are slightly larger than females. It has a long head and neck covered with small grey-brown feathers. The eyes are brown, the beak is wide and flattened and grayish brown. The body is large and rounded, with feathers of the same color. Almost non-existent tail, whitish chest and abdomen. The legs are long, yellowish gray in color and have 3 toes, unlike ostriches that have only 2. Being unable to fly, this bird developed great running skills, being able to reach up to 70 km/hr.

ENVIRONMENT AND NOURISHMENT

It inhabits the continental steppe of the Magallanes Region. It is possible to observe it in the communes of Torres del Paine, Laguna Blanca and San Gregorio. It is an omnivorous bird, consuming grains, seeds, grasses and insects.

PROCREATION

In the Magallanes region, laying begins in the month of November. The nest is large and usually located in a depression, covered with branches and grass. The male has several females, which deposit their eggs in the nest and are incubated for 40 days exclusively by the male. A nest can have 30 eggs and nests with up to 50 eggs have been recorded, which are 8 x 3inches in size. After the eggs hatch, the male raises the chicks for up to 3 years, when they reach maturity.

THREATS TO SURVIVAL

A few decades ago, the population of the rhea showed a sustained decrease, as a result of the theft of eggs for home baking or as a decorative element. At present, this trend has been reversed, mainly due to the diffusion in the care of the species, which has seen its population and distribution increase.

CONSERVATION

According to the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species is in category: LC (Least Concern). In Chile, its conservation category is Vulnerable (VU) in the Magallanes Region.