Lesser rhea adult male with chicks, Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Lesser rheas, Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Featured here is a lesser rhea, also known as Darwin's rhea, with his chicks in the Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile. Native to open grasslands and shrublands of South America, the lesser rhea is a large, flightless bird. Known for its impressive speed and agility on land, it can reach speeds of up to 60 kmph. It is sometimes referred to as the South American ostrich, as it closely resembles a small ostrich.

One of its most fascinating traits is its breeding behaviour. A male lesser rhea mates with several females and leads them to a shared nest, where they lay eggs in succession before leaving and returning periodically to add more. From the moment his chicks hatch, the male lesser rhea takes full charge—guiding them through the brush, communicating with gentle whistles and sheltering them under his wings in times of danger or cold. Remarkably, he often adopts lost chicks, raising a mixed-age brood. For nearly six months, he teaches and protects them, with many staying close until maturity. The lesser rhea is a living symbol of resilience and ecological balance in South America's grasslands. Protecting them means protecting our planet.