Greater Rhea Chick
Rhea americana (chick)
Newly hatched greater rhea chicks are striped and downy, a pattern that helps them disappear among dry grass and scrub in South American open country. They are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching and following the guarding male while learning to pick at seeds, leaves, and small insects. When threatened, a chick relies on freezing, crouching, and short bursts of running rather than strength. A notable feature of the species is that the male incubates the eggs and cares for the chicks from several females.
- Type
- Stealth
- Conservation status
- NT
Growth chain
- Greater Rhea Chick
- Greater Rhea