North American rhea (SciiFii)

The North American rhea (Rhea ohiohensis), also known as the Cope's rhea, is a species of flightless bird of the rhea family that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the forests, open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, scrublands, and deserts of North America to help boost biodiversity. The North American rhea can weigh about 30–41 kilograms (66–90 lb) and is slightly larger than the Australian emu, making it the largest ratite bird in the Americas. The North American rheas have three toes, which are thick and ostrich-like (despite the feet having three toes instead of just two as in ostriches), and the hind toe is absent. The wings of the North American rhea are rather long; the birds use them during running to maintain balance during tight turns, and also during courtship displays. The North American rheas have a fluffy, tattered-looking plumage, that is gray or brown, with high individual variation, The head, neck, rump, and thighs are feathered. In general, males are darker than females. Even in the wild, particularly in western Mexico and the United States, leucistic individuals (with white body plumage and blue eyes) as well as albinos occur. Hatchling North American rheas are grey with dark lengthwise stripes. The North American rhea is a silent bird except during mating season, when they make low booming noises, and as chicks, when they give a mournful whistle. During the non-breeding season they will form flocks of between 10 and 100 birds. When in flocks, they tend to be less vigilant, but the males can get aggressive towards other males. When chased they will flee in a zigzag pattern, alternately raising one wing then the other. These flocks break up in the winter in time for breeding season. The rhea's diet mainly consists of broad-leaved foliage, particularly seed and fruit when in season, but also insects, scorpions, fish, small rodents, reptiles, and small birds. Favorite food plants include native and introduced species from all sorts of dicot families, such as Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Bignoniaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae or Solanaceae. Magnoliidae fruit, for example of Duguetia furfuracea (Annonaceae) or avocados (Persea americana, Lauraceae) can be seasonally important. They do not usually eat cereal grains, or monocots in general. However, the leaves of particular grass species like Brachiaria brizantha can be eaten in large quantities, and Liliaceae (e.g. the sarsaparilla Smilax brasiliensis) have also been recorded as foodplants. Even tough and spiny vegetable matter like tubers or thistles is eaten with relish. In fields and plantations of plants they do not like to eat, e.g., cereals or eucalyptus, the North American rhea can be a species quite beneficial to farmers. It will eat any large invertebrate it can catch; its food includes locusts and grasshoppers, true bugs, cockroaches, and other pest insects. Juveniles eat more animal matter than adults. In open woodlands and agricultural lands in California, North American rheas are noted to be particularly fond of beetles. It is not clear whether this applies to the species in general but for example in grassland habitat, beetle consumption is probably lower simply due to availability while Orthoptera might be more important. The North American rhea is able to eat Hymenoptera in quantity. These insects contain among them many who can give painful stings, though the birds do not seem to mind. Sometimes, North American rheas will gather at carrion to feed on flies; they are also known to eat dead or dying fish in the dry season, but as vertebrate prey in general not in large quantities. The conservation status of the North American rhea is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the North American rhea's wide range and its tolerance to most of human activities, including being able to adapt to life in the cities and suburbs.