RHEA

The three juvenile rhea at Rope Yarn Corner, two grey and one natural white, were hatched by myself last spring. Hardy birds, they no longer need the comforts of overnight heating, and by choice spend virtually all of their time outside, regardless of the weather. At night or to minimise the effects of wind and rain, they lie down as flat as possible, for safety and warmth, rarely seeking any other form of shelter and scorning man's efforts to provide them with luxourious accomodation.

However domesticated these birds appear to be, they retain the characteristics of their truly wild ancestors. Their first line of defence in times of danger is to RUN! And run they certainly do, at speeds of up to 40 miles an hour!

Their long, powerful legs will take them away from most predators, but if cornered or taken by surprise, they will use those legs to attack in the first instance. With three very strong, long toes and claws, they are capable of delivering powerful blows, with claws tearing at fur, feathers or flesh. Having distracted or disabled the enemy, they will then run as soon as the opportunity arises. From a very early age, even hand reared rhea hate being picked up or held - simply because instinct tells them that danger may appear at a moment's notice, and they must be ready and able to escape at all times!

Rhea are not able to fly, but they use their huge wings for two purposes. Firstly, they are able to raise the feathers to make themselves appear much larger to the enemy. Secondly, they use them to steer and balance with as they run, almost like a rudder. Watch rhea run at play or in flight and you will appreciate how the wings allow them to make very sharp turns - a feature which gives them great manoeuvrability for their size and speed.


Like geese, rhea eat grasses and other plants. They also eat vegetables, fruit, insects and even small mammals. There favourite foods though, it should be noted, are buttons, zippers, pockets, cuffs, rings, necklaces, earrings, human hair and of course fingers.....  They are not usually malicious creatures, but they are very inquisitive, adore anything that glitters, and need to check out everything with their beaks!

Rhea hunt mainly by sight. Their eyes rarely miss the slightest movement, and they are always ready to pounce on a crawling or flying insect or fly.

Perhaps it is this love for insect life that encourages them to spend time with other animals.  In their natural habitat they will often follow cattle, beaks constantly snapping around the flies that are attracted to these beasts. As is so often the way in nature, both species benefit.