The largest South American bird, Rhea americana hatched recently at the Johannesburg Zoo. The chicks began hatching on the 8th December, after an incubation of approximately 38 days. A total of five chicks hatched successfully.

The Rhea can be called “THE ULTIMATE IN WOMEN’S LIBERATION”, that is, the male does all the incubation of the eggs and cares for the young. The males normally fight one another to gain a group of 2 to 15 females. 

These giant birds have their natural home in South America namely, parts of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina. They are typically found in Pampas and open Chaco woodlands and in areas with tall vegetation, tending to avoid open grassland. When breeding they prefer to be close to water.

Zoo visitors can see the proud parents and their sandy-coloured chicks in the Rhea enclosure, next to baboon mountain. Patience is needed to see them, as the parents tend to keep them to a more secluded part of the enclosure.

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