Data Zone
Taxonomic note
Other rheas were previously separated in genus Pterocnemia, on basis mainly of tarsal scutellation and feathered upper tarsus, but genetic studies show them to be closely related to present species, and probably more aptly considered congeneric (Delsuc et al. 2007, SACC 2008); present species has hybridized with R. pennata in captivity. Several subspecies poorly known, and listed ranges remain provisional; birds of E Bolivia and Mato Grosso do Sul (WC Brazil), currently listed for subspecies araneipes, may instead be referable to albescens. Five subspecies recognized.
Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
| Critically Endangered | Endangered | Vulnerable |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
| Year | Category | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Near Threatened | A2cd+3cd+4cd |
| 2016 | Near Threatened | A2cd+3cd+4cd |
| 2012 | Near Threatened | A2cd+3cd+4cd |
| 2008 | Near Threatened | A2c,d; A3c,d; A4c,d |
| 2004 | Near Threatened | |
| 2000 | Lower Risk/Near Threatened | |
| 1994 | Lower Risk/Near Threatened | |
| 1988 | Near Threatened |
| Migratory status | not a migrant | Forest dependency | does not normally occur in forest |
| Land-mass type |
continent |
Average mass | - |
| Estimate | Data quality | |
|---|---|---|
| Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) | 8,740,000 km2 | medium |
| Severely fragmented? | no | - |
| Estimate | Data quality | Derivation | Year of estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population size | unknown | - | - | - |
| Population trend | decreasing | poor | inferred | 2000-2033 |
| Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) | 20-29% | - | - | - |
| Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) | 20-29% | - | - | - |
| Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) | 20-29% | - | - | - |
| Generation length | 11.08 years | - | - | - |
Population justification: The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as 'uncommon to fairly common' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Trend justification: The population is reportedly declining, mainly as a consequence of habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as hunting (Giordano et al. 2010, Bazzano et al. 2014, Kirwan et al. 2021). It has become extinct in Ceará and Rio Grando do Norte in northern Brazil, though parts have now been recolonised by reintroduced individuals (Kirwan et al. 2021).The rate of decline has not been quantified, but it is suspected to be moderately rapid over three generations (33.2 years; Bird et al. 2020) as a consequence of continuing pressures from habitat loss and hunting.
| Country/Territory | Presence | Origin | Resident | Breeding visitor | Non-breeding visitor | Passage migrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | extant | native | yes | |||
| Bolivia | extant | native | yes | |||
| Brazil | extant | native | yes | |||
| Paraguay | extant | native | yes | |||
| Uruguay | extant | native | yes |
| Habitat (level 1) | Habitat (level 2) | Importance | Occurrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial/Terrestrial | Arable Land | marginal | resident |
| Grassland | Subtropical/Tropical Dry | suitable | resident |
| Grassland | Subtropical/Tropical Seasonally Wet/Flooded | suitable | resident |
| Grassland | Temperate | suitable | resident |
| Savanna | Dry | suitable | resident |
| Shrubland | Subtropical/Tropical Dry | suitable | resident |
| Shrubland | Temperate | suitable | resident |
| Altitude | 0 - 1650 m | Occasional altitudinal limits |
| Threat (level 1) | Threat (level 2) | Impact and Stresses | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
| Ongoing | Majority (50-90%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Medium Impact: 6 | ||||||
|
|||||||||
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching - Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
| Ongoing | Majority (50-90%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Medium Impact: 6 | ||||||
|
|||||||||
| Biological resource use | Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
| Ongoing | Majority (50-90%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Medium Impact: 6 | ||||||
|
|||||||||
| Purpose | Scale |
|---|---|
| Food - human | subsistence, national |
| Medicine - human & veterinary | subsistence, national |
| Other household goods | subsistence, national |
| Pets/display animals, horticulture | international |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Greater Rhea Rhea americana. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/greater-rhea-rhea-americana on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.