Data Zone
Taxonomic note
Rhea pennata and R. tarapacensis (del Hoyo and Collar 2014) were previously lumped as R. pennata following Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), but now lumped again as R. pennata largely on the basis that solid evidence of its specific distinctiveness is not available (Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International 2022). However, type description claiming different tarsal scutellation has apparently not been refuted; further work needed. Previously placed in genus Pterocnemia, on basis mainly of tarsal scutellation and feathered upper tarsus, but genetic studies reveal close relationship with R. americana, and probably more aptly considered congeneric (Delsuc et al. 2007, SACC 2008); has hybridized with R. americana in captivity. Three subspecies recognised.
Taxonomic source(s)
Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International. 2022. Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Version 7. Available at: https://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_Checklist_v7_Dec22.zip.
| Critically Endangered | Endangered | Vulnerable |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
| Year | Category | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Least Concern | |
| 2016 | Not Recognised | |
| 2014 | Not Recognised | |
| 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) | 2,600,000 km2 | medium |
| Severely fragmented? | no | - |
| Estimate | Data quality | Derivation | Year of estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population size | unknown | - | - | - |
| Population trend | decreasing | poor | suspected | - |
| Generation length | 11.89 years | - | - | - |
| Number of subpopulations | 3-100 | - | - | - |
| Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation | 1-89% | - | - | - |
Population justification: The global population size has not been quantified. The subspecies pennata is described as locally fairly common (Schmitt et al. 2022). Considering the number of observational records (see eBird 2022), the population is likely very large.
The combined population of the two subspecies tarapacensis and garleppi is likely smaller. It has been suggested that the total population of both subspecies is as low as several hundred birds. In 1983, the Peruvian population was estimated at 18 individuals, with very low numbers in northern Chile (principally in Lauca National Park [A. Jaramillo in litt. 1999]) and on the altiplano in Bolivia. These figures are now generally thought to be too low, with 'at least many hundreds' in Chile from the Peruvian border to the Antofagasta highlands alone (A. Jaramillo in litt. 2014), while the population in Peru is estimated at 350 individuals (SERFOR 2018). A preliminary estimate is that the combined population of tarapacensis and garleppi could lie within the range 1,000-2,499 mature individuals, but this requires confirmation.
Trend justification: The species is suspected to undergo a decline, driven by habitat loss through conversion for agriculture and human settlements, overgrazing, hunting and egg-collection.
| Country/Territory | Presence | Origin | Resident | Breeding visitor | Non-breeding visitor | Passage migrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | extant | native | yes | |||
| Bolivia | extant | native | yes | |||
| Chile | extant | native | yes | |||
| Peru | extant | native | yes |
| Habitat (level 1) | Habitat (level 2) | Importance | Occurrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grassland | Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude | suitable | resident |
| Grassland | Temperate | suitable | resident |
| Shrubland | Subtropical/Tropical Dry | suitable | resident |
| Wetlands (inland) | Alpine Wetlands (includes temporary waters from snowmelt) | suitable | resident |
| Wetlands (inland) | Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands | marginal | resident |
| Wetlands (inland) | Permanent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Lakes | marginal | resident |
| Altitude | 0 - 4500 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 | Minority (<50%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Low Impact: 5 | ||||||
|
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| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
| Ongoing | Minority (<50%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Low Impact: 5 | ||||||
|
|||||||||
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching - Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
| Ongoing | Minority (<50%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Low Impact: 5 | ||||||
|
|||||||||
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
| Ongoing | Minority (<50%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Low Impact: 5 | ||||||
|
|||||||||
| Biological resource use | Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
| Ongoing | Minority (<50%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Low Impact: 5 | ||||||
|
|||||||||
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
| Ongoing | Minority (<50%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Low Impact: 5 | ||||||
|
|||||||||
| Purpose | Scale |
|---|---|
| Food - human | subsistence, national |
| Handicrafts, jewellery, etc. | national, international |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Lesser Rhea Rhea pennata. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/lesser-rhea-rhea-pennata on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.