Rhea pennata

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	STRUTHIONIFORMES	RHEIDAE

Scientific Name:

Rhea pennata

Species Authority:

d'Orbigny, 1834

Common Name/s:

English	–	Darwin's Rhea, Lesser Rhea
Spanish	–	Avestruz de Magallanes, Ñandú Cordillerano, Ñandú Petizo

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Near Threatened ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Jaramillo, A., Knapton, B., Pearman, M.

Justification:
This species qualifies as Near Threatened as declines in its population are suspected to approach the threshold for classification as Vulnerable.

History:

2004	–	Near Threatened
1988	–	Near Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Rhea pennata occurs in three subspecies: pennata in south Chile, west-central and south Argentina, with an introduced population in north Tierra del Fuego; tarapacensis in north Chile; and garleppi in south Peru, south-west Bolivia and north-west Argentina. All populations have declined markedly and the northern subspecies are in serious danger of extinction². The combined population of tarapacensis and garleppi is estimated at several hundred birds, with the healthiest populations in Argentina (densities at two sites of 2-5 birds/km²)¹. In 1983, the Peruvian population was estimated at 18 individuals, with very low numbers in north Chile (principally in Lauca National Park³) and on the altiplano in Bolivia.
Countries:	Native: Argentina; Bolivia; Chile; Peru
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as 'uncommon' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The nominate subspecies inhabits steppe, shrubland, shrub-steppe and mallines (successional wetlands with bog, meadows and ponds)⁷, up to 1,500 m, generally breeding in upland areas with bunch-grass. The northern subspecies are found in desertic salt puna, pumice flats, upland bogs and tola (Lepidophyllum) heath in altiplano at 3,000-4,500 m, down to 1,500 m in the south.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There is still extensive persecution, particularly around Andean mining centres, and egg-collection by Aymará Indians¹. In the northern part of its range, it is hunted for meat and feathers and, in some areas, immature individuals are domesticated and bred^4,5,6. The principal threat to pennata is habitat conversion to farmland or pastures for cattle-grazing².

Major Threat(s):

There is still extensive persecution, particularly around Andean mining centres, and egg-collection by Aymará Indians¹. In the northern part of its range, it is hunted for meat and feathers and, in some areas, immature individuals are domesticated and bred^4,5,6. The principal threat to pennata is habitat conversion to farmland or pastures for cattle-grazing².

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix I (except nominate race, which is on Appendix II). Conservation Actions Proposed Develop campaigns to reduce awareness and reduce hunting, egg-collecting and the domestication of wild immature birds. Monitor remaining populations of tarapacensis and garleppi.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I (except nominate race, which is on Appendix II).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Develop campaigns to reduce awareness and reduce hunting, egg-collecting and the domestication of wild immature birds. Monitor remaining populations of tarapacensis and garleppi.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Rhea pennata. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2012.
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