Lesser Rhea
Rhea pennata
The Lesser Rhea (Rhea pennata) is a rare rhea found in 4 countries, weighing about 23.9 kg. Darwin's rhea or the lesser rhea is a large flightless bird, the smaller of the two extant species of rheas.
About the Lesser Rhea
Darwin's rhea or the lesser rhea is a large flightless bird, the smaller of the two extant species of rheas. It is found in the Altiplano and Patagonia in South America.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The lesser rhea stands at 90 to 100 cm (35–39 in) tall. Length is 92 to 100 cm (36–39 in) and weight is 15 to 28.6 kg (33–63 lb). Like most ratites, it has a small head and a small bill, the latter measuring 6.2 to 9.2 cm (2.4 to 3.6 in), but has long legs and a long neck. It has relatively larger wings than other ratites, enabling it to run particularly well. It can reach speeds of 60 km/h (37 mph), enabling it to outrun predators. The sharp claws on the toes are effective weapons. Their feathers are similar to those of ostriches, in that they have no aftershaft.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Lesser Rhea?
- The lesser rhea stands at 90 to 100 cm (35–39 in) tall. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Lesser Rhea?
- The Lesser Rhea is a huge sized bird weighing about 23.9 kg.
- Where can you see a Lesser Rhea?
- The Lesser Rhea occurs in 4 countries, including Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru.
- What birds look similar to a Lesser Rhea?
- The Lesser Rhea is most easily confused with the Greater Rhea.
- Is the Lesser Rhea endangered?
- The Lesser Rhea is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Lesser Rhea for real
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