Rhea pennata

The lesser rhea, also known as Darwin’s rhea, is a flightless bird native to the open grasslands and shrublands of Argentina and Chile, as well as parts of Bolivia and Peru. This long-legged bird can still reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour to outrun predators. Their soft, gray-brown feathers help them blend into the dry plains and rugged Patagonian landscapes they call home.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the lesser rhea is currently listed as Near Threatened. While they are still found across parts of South America, their populations are declining. The biggest threats to lesser rheas include habitat loss from agriculture and livestock grazing, fencing that restricts their movement, and egg collection. Because they rely on large, open landscapes to forage and breed, fragmentation of grasslands has made survival more challenging in some regions. Protecting native grasslands and promoting sustainable land use are key steps in ensuring these unique birds continue to thrive in the wild.

Lesser rheas play an important role in their ecosystems. As omnivores, they help control insect populations and disperse seeds across the plains, supporting plant diversity and healthy grassland habitats.

Did you know?

Like emus, male lesser rheas build the nest, incubate the eggs, and raise the chicks. Sometimes caring for up to 30 chicks at once!

When escaping predators, lesser rheas run in a zig-zag pattern to stay unpredictable.

Their muted feathers help them disappear into tall grasses.

Unlike ostriches (which have two toes), rheas have three toes on each foot.

They use their wings for balance and sharp turns while running at high speeds.