A male is known as a COCK, a female is known as a HEN and a baby is known as a CHICK. A group is known as a FLOCK. Rheas are large, flightless birds with grey-brown plumage, long legs and long necks, similar to an ostrich. Unlike most birds, rheas have only three toes. Rheas tend to be silent birds with the exception being when they are chicks or when the male is seeking a mate.
During breeding season, the male will attempt to attract females by calling. This call is a loud booming noise. Rheas are polygamous, with males courting between two and twelve females. After mating, the male builds a nest, in which each female lays her eggs in turn. The nest consists of a simple scrape in the ground, lined with grass and leaves. The male incubates from ten to sixty eggs.
ORIGIN: Originating in South America.
LONGEVITY: Can live over 40 years in captivity.
WEIGHT: They weigh between 50 and 100 pounds.
SIZE: Can grow between 4 and 6 feet.
DIET: A diet of seeds, worms, grain and grit.
GESTATION: Females start to lay at 2 years old. Eggs hatch after 33 days.
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