AVITOPIA - Rheas

The only two species of the family of Rheas are native to southern South America. They can be up to 150 cm high. Neck and legs are long, the feet do not have a hind toe. The beak is broad. The wings are short, tail feathers are missing. Rheas are flightless, run fast, and swim well. Their habitat are steppes and bush savannahs. They are sociable and eat small animals and plants. Their nest consists of a small padded hollow with around 30 eggs. These are incubated by the male for 35 to 40 days. The young leave the nest early and are fully grown after 5 months.