American ostrich (rhea): features of breeding and growing at home. Description of the American ostrich rhea

The American ostrich is a flightless bird. The habitat of ostriches is South America, and birds similar to them live in Africa. This visual identity creates a sense of their relationship, which has not yet been proven.

Nandu is an ostrich from South America

Characteristics of the species

The rhea ostrich lives in the subtropical climate zone. According to historical monuments and known sources, American ostriches have been known since the sixteenth century. These birds lived in large numbers among the Indians.

The differences between African ostriches and rhea ostriches include:

• Body length. Nanda is inferior African ostrich twice. The growth of the rhea reaches only one and a half meters in height.
• The rhea is covered with feathers, and the ostrich's neck is devoid of feathers.
• The rhea has three fingers on each paw, while the African has only two.
• They run slower than their African counterparts.

Rheas cannot fly. When running, they use their wings as a means of maintaining balance and as a means of defense (thanks to the sharp claw on them). They are capable of accelerating up to sixty kilometers per hour. Nature has given them the ability to swim well and cross waters with strong currents.

What makes them different from other birds is their call. The sound of an ostrich is very similar to the voice of cats. The bird's voice is used during the breeding season. The name comes from the characteristic sound that is consonant with their name. Birds also use hissing to intimidate the enemy, or to alert their fellow birds about a possible threat.

Rhea ostriches run fast and can swim

The habitat became savannas or mountainous areas. It all depends on the subspecies.

They are also common in the states of Germany. Their population there does not exceed one hundred heads; they were formed there artificially and easily adapted to the local conditions.

The life activity of the rhea is carried out mainly during the day. In extremely hot climates, birds shift their activity to the evening.

Flocks of birds include thirty individuals or less. This species extremely values ​​its personal space and does not tolerate being close to its relatives from another flock. In one flock there is mainly one male, or two. This is directly related to the size of the flock. One male can fertilize seven females. Main feature is that the males independently hatch the eggs and walk the young ostriches. A clutch can contain up to forty eggs, which hatch for up to two months.

Birds live in the same flock with other species of animals, thus they protect themselves and their neighbors from attacks by predators.

The male rhea takes care of the offspring

Peculiarities

The diet of the species includes both plant and grain foods, as well as insects and small creeping creatures. Ostriches compensate for their need for water with food. Their natural feature is the ability to exist for a long time without water.

There is no exact information about the predisposition of rheas to any type of bird. They are classified as ostriches, but this predisposition is questioned by other specialists who study them.

Accurate information is known that rheas originated hundreds of years ago. And it is likely that ostriches are the progenitors of all existing birds.

It is a known fact that the American ostrich was used as food by the Indians. The rhea ostrich is also in demand due to its feathers and skin.

Young rhea

Birds today are domesticated, and there is a threat of extinction of the species. Since the bird is often killed by farmers whose lands suffer from the actions of the rhea. Overhunting of the species poses a threat to the population.

Distinctive features of the species and their mysterious story makes the species interesting both for amateurs and for scientists studying the species.

Although the Nandu ostrich is similar in appearance to its African relative, it belongs to a different family and order, which experts call rheas. It has more modest body dimensions and a different habitat. Rhea is often grown on farms because it can provide large number egg, meat and feather products. Read more about this amazing bird (species description, nutritious diet, characteristics of reproduction) find out right now.

Under natural conditions, Nandu lives in Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, and Bolivia. Northern Rhea lives in warm climates, while Darwin's Rhea lives at altitudes of at least 4,500 above sea level.

Of all the birds known to us, scientists call ostriches the largest in the world - they grow up to 270 cm and can weigh about 175 kg. The South American ostrich, unlike its relative from Africa, can reach a height of more than 140 cm and weighs no more than 40 kg.

In appearance, the rhea is a ratite bird, which has naturally received an oval-shaped body, large legs, a long neck and a small head. Nandu's neck seems somewhat rough because it is covered with feathers.

Although Nandu cannot fly, he uses his wings when running - he lifts one up when maneuvering. On the feet of such birds it is easy to see not 2, but 3 fingers. This may be the reason why rheas are worse runners than other ostrich breeds.

It is believed that the Nandu ostrich is the first flightless bird, from which other species originated. The fact is that the American representative has sharp claws - their ancient ancestors also had them in the Paleocene.

Rheas are polygamous - there are usually 3 - 7 females per male, but the male is able to incubate and raise offspring. So the female's task is only to lay eggs. These ostriches live in groups and are able to graze with cows or sheep. They love water and feel great in it. When there is no body of water nearby, ostriches do this: they sleep in a cool place during the day and stay awake at night.

What does it eat?

Rheas prefer a varied diet. Their diet is based on plant foods, with smaller amounts of mineral and animal foods.

The main sources of carbohydrates and fiber are wheat, barley, corn and oats. Suitable succulent feed is hay, consisting of clover and other herbs growing in the meadow. Raw and boiled potato tubers, carrots, and beets will be a source of minerals and vitamins during the winter-autumn period.

Reproduction

In female Nandus, sexual maturity occurs at 2–3 years, and males enter this period at 3.5 years. Younger ostriches lay “empty” eggs.

When forming families, birds of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of laying should be kept separately. Thus, in the fall it will be easier to select individuals for reproduction. If it is not possible to keep birds separately, it is recommended to mark each one in a special journal.

It is customary to obtain young Nandas in one of three ways:

• The first assumes that parents are kept in open pens or insulated rooms. Eggs are taken from the nest for incubation, which contributes to the subsequent increase in their number. Chicks are usually raised without parents. Using this method, you can actually get about 40 eggs from each female.
• Another method is for the parents to live in closed poultry houses with year-round walking. The eggs are hatched by an ostrich. The bird owner needs to protect its offspring from predators. Although there is savings in terms of incubating eggs, the disadvantage is that the female herself hatches no more than 20 eggs.
• There is a third known method - a mixed method, when some of the eggs are placed in an incubator, and the rest are incubated by the female.

Nandu eggs

The Nandu's nest is a depression in the ground, covered with grass, which is guarded by the male. A fresh, just laid egg is sterile, but as it cools, it loses this feature, and bacteria can easily penetrate the shell. Do not wash their surface, even if it is dirty.

To stimulate high egg production, eggs should be taken from the nest at least 2 times a day. On average, an egg weighs about 620 grams. The yolk in it is located in the center and consists of light and dark layers. If the yolk is intensely colored, this indicates an increased presence of vitamin A in the female’s diet.

Nandu eggs are healthy and nutritious. They can easily replace about a dozen chicken eggs. This product is recommended for those who watch their figure, their health, or adhere to a diet.

Eggs are also used in folk crafts. The dense shell is considered valuable. From it creative people making souvenirs. It serves as the basis for beautiful paintings and even vases. In terms of its properties, egg shells are very similar to fine porcelain.

Perhaps Nandus got their name because during the mating season the female makes a sound reminiscent of this word. In general, a feature of birds is considered to be the ability to scream loudly and make hissing sounds. Sometimes from the outside they resemble the hissing of predatory animals.

Ostriches sleep in groups that live in them. For safety reasons during the night's rest, they leave a guard on duty who guards the sleep of others.

Nandu's favorite delicacy is locusts. There are cases where birds ate so much that they gained weight and were unable to run.

The ostrich defends itself from predators with its beak, as well as with the blows of its powerful legs. If necessary, he is capable of killing a fairly large predator with one blow.

Under natural conditions, birds protect their offspring from attacks by predatory animals, distracting the enemy. They fall on the sand and get up as if wounded, and at this time the kids run away to the rest of the adult ostriches. But if a predator tries to attack an ostrich at the moment of such a performance, it quickly runs away. Also, in case of danger, the bird can lie down and pretend to be dead. At the same time, she stretches her head, then she is not visible from a distance.

Video “Nandu in the National Park”

Thanks to this short video, you have the opportunity to watch Nanda in his natural habitat - in national park Torres del Paine (Chile).

Ostriches are birds that do not have the ability to fly, but can accelerate to such speeds that they can easily overtake a passing car. They are much larger and more beautiful than other birds. There are several types of ostrich: African, American rhea and Australian emu. In this article we will talk about American form ostriches - rhea.

The rhea ostrich has a completely normal body structure: it has a flat chest, an oval-shaped body, strong legs, long neck and very small head. The color of ostriches is gray, sometimes with brown tint. Some ostriches resemble albinos: their bodies are covered with white feathers and their eyes are deep blue.

American ostriches are very similar in appearance to African ostriches. However, the former have volumes almost twice as small. Rhea weight is about 35-40 kg. The largest ostriches are up to 1.5 m tall. Also distinctive feature from African ostriches is the neck, on which the rhea has small short feathers, while its African relatives do not have them at all.

Ostriches have 3 toes on their feet, instead of two, which are connected to the rest by a small membrane. The rhea is inferior to the African ostrich even in running. The speed of American ostriches can reach a maximum of 60 km/h. Instead, the rhea has excellent swimming abilities and can safely cross large rivers. During swimming, the wings act as a sail when spread out. Ostriches use the claws on their wings to protect themselves from predators. However, due to their speed, ostriches rarely fall into the clutches of the beast.

Video – Common Rhea

Rhea habitats

From the name of the ostrich it is immediately clear that the resident of South America has spread throughout the continent. On every side of America live different types this ostrich. So there are two types:

1. Small ostrich (Darwin, long-billed).
2. Large ostrich (northern, common).

Darwin's ostrich is distributed in Argentina, especially in the Southern Andes and Patagonia, as well as in Chile, southern Peru, Bolivia and Tierra del Fuego. The long-billed ostrich can live even at an altitude of about 4.5 thousand km.

The second type of rhea ostrich, the northern one, is much more common. In addition to all the places where the small ostrich lives, it can also be found in Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, in the south of the Amazon all the way to Central Argentina. The common ostrich prefers open areas (Andean plateaus, lowlands).

The character of the ostrich, its behavior and lifestyle

The American rhea ostrich is located near the banks of water bodies, near swamps and in areas with thickets and grass. Two different extremes, forests and highlands, are not familiar to him and are of little use. Ostriches can always live in the same territory. They are looking new home only if a fire broke out in their area or another natural disaster occurred, as a result of which it became impossible to live.

Ostriches are sociable and flocking birds. They are going into one big company, which can include up to 40 heads. Although there are also flocks of more than 100 birds, they are much less common. Each flock necessarily contains several males, females and young chicks. When the breeding season begins, the entire flock breaks up into several groups, which consist of 1 male and up to 10 females. The male is engaged in protecting the territory. Old birds can gather in a group according to age and live separately from others, or even in absolute solitude.

When rheas sense danger, they run. When running, ostriches tilt their heads, stretching them forward, and make very loud sounds. They run in a zigzag pattern. This allows them to confuse the predator and break away from it. Ostriches can live together with other representatives of animal groups: deer, guanacos, and sometimes sheep or cows.

What do ostriches eat?

American rhea ostriches can eat absolutely anything - they are omnivores. So, for example, the following products can become their food:

1. Greens, grass and other broadleaf crops.
2. Flying, jumping and crawling insects (grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, flies, etc.).
3. Plant seeds.
4. Various fruits and berries.
5. Plant roots.
6. Fish, shellfish and other arthropods.

If possible, elements such as excrement of cows, horses, deer and carrion may also be included in food. The snake may become part of their diet. However, they touch them only in cases of threat from crawling creatures.

Small stones can be eaten by ostriches - they are required for proper operation gastrointestinal tract of animals. If you are engaged in or want to engage in breeding ostriches, the following table will help you.

Table 1. Nutrition of ostrich chicks

Ostrich breeding

The mating season for rhea ostriches begins with the arrival of autumn and ends with the first month of winter.

The rhea ostrich is polygamous. He gathers a flock of several females (up to 10). Immediately after mating, the male creates a nest. They serve as a small hole in the ground, covered with grass. All female ostriches lay their eggs in one nesting site. After this, the females leave in search of a new male, while the father remains to incubate the eggs. Hatching takes a little more than a month, approximately 35-40 days. He jealously guards the nest with eggs from enemies, warms them and tries to spend all the time next to them.

One nest can contain up to 50 eggs, but usually this number is no more than 35. Newborn ostrich chicks are under close supervision for almost six months. When babies sense danger, they climb onto their father’s back or simply hide under his voluminous wings.

It is important for a novice farmer to know how the birds he plans to keep breed. you will learn everything about the reproduction of farm poultry and how mating and incubation of eggs occurs.

Rhea ostrich breeding

American birds can safely be under the care of people. They are bred in specialized fenced areas to obtain eggs, meat, skins and feathers.

Ostrich eggs are in greatest demand. They have a large number of useful elements necessary for humans. The shell is used for further processing. Since it looks somewhat like porcelain, various accessories are made from it, such as vases, picture frames, decorative dishes, etc.

Ostrich skin is highly valued, along with crocodile skin. It is subsequently used to make very expensive bags, accessories and other branded items.

Europeans saw it at the very beginning of the 16th century. And the first description of these creatures in literature dates back to 1553, when the Spanish explorer, traveler and priest Pedro Cieza de Leon in the first part of his book “Chronicles of Peru”.

Despite significant external resemblance African ostriches rhea, the degree of their relationship is still controversial in scientific circles, since in addition to the similarities, there are plenty of differences between these birds.

Description and features of the ostrich rhea

Unlike their African relatives, ostrich rhea in the photo - and the television camera reacts quite calmly, does not try to hide or run away. If this one doesn’t like something, then the rhea emits a guttural cry, very reminiscent in sound of the growl of a large predator, such as a lion or puma, and unless you see that this sound is made by an ostrich, it is simply impossible to determine whether it belongs to a bird’s throat.

The bird can also attack someone who comes too close, spreading its wings, each of which has a sharp claw, advancing towards the potential enemy and hissing threateningly.

Sizes of the ostrich rhea much less than . The growth of the largest individuals reaches only one and a half meters. The weight of South American ostriches is also significantly less than that of African beauties. An ordinary rhea weighs 30-40 kg, and the Darwinian rhea weighed even less - 15-20 kg.

According to the descriptions of the first Portuguese and Spanish explorers, these were domesticated by the Indians. Moreover, not only in our usual understanding of poultry.

Rheas not only provided people with meat. Eggs and feathers for making jewelry, they acted as dogs, performing guard and possibly hunting and fishing functions. These birds are excellent swimmers; even wide, fast-flowing rivers do not frighten them.

For some time the population was under threat due to the high popularity of rhea hunting. However, now the situation has improved, and the popularity among owners of ostrich farms is much higher than their African relatives.

Rhea ostrich lifestyle and habitat

They can feast on carrion and the waste of artiodactyls. There is an opinion that rheas are capable of hunting and, when tamed, protecting human habitation from them. But there is no scientific evidence for this.

Although these birds are excellent swimmers who love to frolic in the water and catch a few fish, they can go without drinking water for quite a long time. Like others, ostriches periodically swallow gastroliths and small pebbles, which help them digest food.

Reproduction and life expectancy of the rhea ostrich

During the mating season, rheas exhibit polygamy. The flock is divided into groups of one male and 4-7 females and retires to its own “secluded” place. Ostrich rhea egg equal to about four dozen chicken eggs, and the shell is so strong that it is used for various crafts that are sold to tourists as souvenirs. According to the records of European researchers, in Indian tribes, the shells of these eggs were used as utensils.

Females lay eggs in a common nest; in general, the clutch contains from 10 to 35 eggs, and the male incubates them. Incubation lasts on average a couple of months, all this time ostrich rhea feeding what his girlfriends bring him. When the chicks hatch, she takes care of them, feeds them and walks them. However, most babies do not live to see one year old for various reasons, not the least of which is hunting.

Although hunting rheas is prohibited in most countries where they live, these bans do not stop poachers. Sexual maturity in females occurs at 2.5-3 years, and in males at 3.5-4. These live on average from 35 to 45 years, under favorable conditions, unlike their African relatives, who live up to 70.

Interesting facts about the ostrich rhea

Speaking about the ostrich rhea, it is impossible not to mention where this came from interesting name this one During the mating season, these birds exchange calls in which the consonance “nandu” clearly sounds, which first became their nickname, and then official name.

Today science knows two species of these wonderful birds:

• common rhea or northern rhea, scientific name - Rhea americana;
• Small rhea or Darwin, scientific name - Rhea pennata.

According to zoological classifications, rheas, like , and emus, are not ostriches. These birds were allocated to a separate order - rheas in 1884, and in 1849 the rhea family was defined, limited to two species of South American ostriches.

The oldest excavated fossils resembling modern rheas are 68 million years old, meaning there is every reason to believe that such birds lived on earth during the Paleocene period and saw dinosaurs.

Nandu is separate species ostriches, common in South America. These birds form their own separate family - rheas. Despite the external resemblance to flightless ratites that live in Africa, the relationship with these feathered creatures is currently considered controversial. Some researchers believe that ratites appeared on different continents at the same time. However, given that these birds are not able to fly, most likely their ancestor still had this ability. Due to different habitats, many species of ratites have gone through their own path of development and adaptation to existing conditions, and therefore have a lot of distinctive features.

Rhea is a separate species of ostrich, common in South America.

These birds are significantly smaller in size than their possible relatives from Africa. The common rhea grows to approximately 1.4 m in height. The weight of an adult bird usually ranges from 30-40 kg. The South American ostrich rhea has quite thick plumage. Not only the body, but also the long neck has such a covering. Like other species of ostriches, rheas have a relatively small head. The eyes are quite large, thanks to which the birds have excellent vision and can notice any approaching predator.

Like other feathered creatures, rheas have a beak. It is pointed and relatively small, so it does not weigh down the head. Since these birds abandoned flight, preferring terrestrial life, in the process of adaptation they acquired long and very strong legs. Thanks to its strong joints, the bird can move quickly even on rocky terrain. To maintain stability, 3 toes are preserved on each foot. The foot of adult individuals is covered with a thick horny covering, which greatly facilitates movement over rough terrain. This South American ostrich can reach speeds of about 60 km/h.

Despite the fact that these birds lost the ability to fly due to their weight, their wings were not reduced. They are actively used when running, which allows the ostrich to better maintain balance. In some cases, the wings spread out like a sail. This allows the ostrich to run faster, using less energy. Quite impressive claws are also hidden under the feathers on the wings, which can be used as weapons when attacking a predator and while searching for food.

Thanks to its strong limbs, the American ostrich can not only run well, but is also an excellent swimmer.

The feathers of a rhea resemble soft fluff. Thanks to this, the plumage looks very fluffy. However, even if the ostrich really wants to use its wings to fly, it will not be able to do this, since there are no special hooks that would hold together individual elements, forming a strong, smooth surface of the feather, like other birds. The rhea ostrich has a very specific voice. The singing of these birds cannot be called pleasant. When giving voice, sounds similar to “nan-doo” and wheezing appear.

Snow-white rheas (video)

Gallery: ostrich rhea (25 photos)

Rhea ostrich habitat

These birds are distributed over a fairly wide area. Large populations of them are present in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Some species of ostriches, classified as rheas, are found primarily in southern Peru. Typically these creatures prefer open savannas and steppe zones. Many species of rhea ostrich graze in the windswept lowlands of Patagonia.

These birds are also fond of the Andean mountain plateaus. The so-called Darwinian rhea can climb to a height of about 4500 m above sea level for grazing. This species is also found in the subpolar extreme south of South America. The northern rhea prefers to settle in lower areas where the air temperature is higher. These birds easily adapt to new conditions, so they can live wherever the areas are rich in food. Rhea ostriches, living in rather difficult conditions of savannas, are omnivores. Their diet includes:

• broadleaf plants;
• fruits;
• seeds;
• roots;
• insects;
• small vertebrates.

It is believed that these birds, when given the opportunity, can kill and eat snakes. For a long time, rheas can do without water, using the amount of liquid that is present in food. Since ostriches, like other birds, do not have teeth, they solve this problem by regularly swallowing small pebbles, which are called gastroliths. They help break down food in the stomach, allowing it to be extracted maximum quantity nutrients.

Behavior in nature and reproduction of rhea ostriches

Throughout the year, females try to gather in herds of up to 30 individuals. This allows them to be more protected from possible predators. Males can form small flocks, but usually they lead a solitary lifestyle, defending a separate territory. In some cases, the groups are mixed gender. Rhea-like animals are quite calm about the proximity of ungulates, so they can join their herds. During the breeding season, harems are usually formed in a separate territory, in which there is 1 male for every 3-7 females. This is enough for the birth of offspring.

Over a long period of time, the male must prepare for the upcoming breeding season. He needs to eat a lot. It is the male in the harem who incubates the eggs, so he needs to accumulate large fat reserves. Only after this can he begin to fight for the right to become a father. If the harem chooses a male, he begins to prepare the place where the clutch begins. The eggs of the rhea bird, like those of other species of ostriches, are quite large. The volume of 1 ostrich egg is equivalent to 2-4 dozen chicken eggs.

Considering they are delicious dietary product, then for many centuries local residents They were stealing them for food and using the shells for crafts.

After the eggs are laid, the male begins to incubate them, covering them with his thick feathers from the hot sun and coolness of the night. A clutch may contain from 15 to 40 eggs. Incubation continues for 6 weeks. After the chicks hatch, their father immediately tries to take them to any source of water. After that he long time stays with the young. He does not need to look for food for the chicks, since from the first days they cope with this task themselves. Thus, the male acts as an accompanying protector from the predator.

Representatives of the opposite sex do not participate in incubation. They continue to feed. They do not participate in the further raising of chicks. Throughout the summer, they try to go out in search of food in the morning and evening, since at noon the air temperature rises to critical levels. In some areas, ostriches become nocturnal.

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