home Ideas Nandu interesting facts. Nandu is an African ostrich-like bird from South America.

Nandu interesting facts. Nandu is an African ostrich-like bird from South America.

Origin of the species and description

The Latin name of the genus "rea" comes from the name of the Titanides - the mother of the Olympic gods from Greek mythology. Nandu is an onomatopoeia of the mating cry of this bird. There are several fossil species in the genus and two living ones: a small, or Darwin rhea (Rhea pennata) and a large, common or American rhea (Rhea americana).

Lesser rhea is rare and less studied. The big rhea has 5 subspecies. The main differences between them are in the growth and coloration of the base of the neck, but the signs are indistinct and it is required to know the place of its origin in order to determine a particular individual.

Video: Nandu

Namely:

the type subspecies inhabits the savannas and deserts in the north and east;
R.a. intermedia - an intermediate subspecies is found in and in the extreme southeast of Brazil;
R. a. nobilis - a wonderful subspecies lives in the east;
R.a. araneipes - inhabits the park forests of Paraguay, and partly Brazil;
R. a. albescens - the whitish subspecies prefers the pampas to the Rio Negro's province.

Fossil remains of representatives of the genus were found in the Eocene deposits (56.0 - 33.9 million years ago), but presumably these birds existed earlier, in the Paleocene and saw the ancestors of modern mammals. As for the relationship with ostriches and emus, the evolutionary paths of these groups diverged a very long time ago, at least at the beginning of the Paleogene (about 65 million years ago). There is also an assumption that the similarity of rhea with other flightless birds is not due to kinship at all, but to a similar lifestyle.

Interesting fact: Charles Darwin visited Patagonia during his legendary voyage on the Beagle. He tried to find a small rhea he had heard about from the locals. In the end, he found it on his plate during lunch. Darwin noticed that the bones of the submitted rhea differed from the bones of the large rhea that he was familiar with, applied them to the rest of the skeleton, and was convinced that he had indeed discovered a new species.

Appearance and features

Nandu is a flightless bird adapted for long and fast running. The figure reminds everyone of the well-known ostrich, but two times less. Even the most large species, American rhea, body length from beak to tail is 130 cm (female) - 150 cm (male), height up to 1.5 m, weight up to 30 kg (female) or up to 40 kg (male). The long neck is covered with light gray thin and small feathers (naked in an ostrich), powerful legs with a bare tarsus end in three fingers (and not two, like an ostrich).

When running, the rhea spreads its magnificent wings to maintain balance. On each wing, one of the vestigial fingers carries a sharp claw, a weapon inherited from dinosaurs. The speed of a frightened bird is quite decent - up to 60 km / h, and the steps when running are from 1.5 to 2 m long. Nandu swims well and can cross rivers.

The body and tail of the large rhea are covered with light, short, loosely laid feathers and are almost completely covered by wings. Long and luxuriant wing feathers hang from a short body and sway freely on the move, their color varies from gray to brownish. Males are generally darker than females. During the breeding season, they are well distinguished by the dark, almost black base of the neck - “collar and shirt-front”. However, this is not the case for all subspecies. Often there are albinos and individuals with leucism, which have almost white feathers and blue eyes.

Darwin nandu is shorter and smaller than the American one: its weight is 15 - 25 kg. Also distinguished by white spots on the back, which is especially noticeable in males. On the run, he does not spread his wings, because he lives among the bushes.

Where does nandu live?

Nandu live only in South America. The American rhea is found no higher than 1500 m above the level in the subtropics and countries with a temperate climate: Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina up to 40 ° south latitude. Like ostriches, he loves treeless expanses and woodlands: cultivated fields, pastures, savannahs, pampas (local steppes), Patagonian deserts, where tall grasses grow. In spring and summer, during the breeding season, it prefers to stay close to water.

Darwin rhea lives in shrubs and tall grasses and on mountain plateaus at altitudes of 3500 - 4500 m. The main population is located in Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and in the south. A separate small population in the highlands of the Andes on the border of Bolivia and Chile can be considered as a subspecies or an independent species - Tarapak rhea (Rhea tarapacensis).

Interesting fact: an introduction population of the great rhea was formed. In 2000, 6 birds escaped from a poultry farm near Lübeck, swam across the river and settled in the agricultural land of Mecklenburg - Vorpommern. The birds settled down and began to breed successfully. In 2008, there were 100 of them, in 2018 - already 566, and more than half are one-year-old specimens. local ministry Agriculture ordered to drill their eggs to regulate their numbers, but the population continues to grow and feed on the rapeseed and wheat fields of local farmers. Perhaps Germany will soon have another problem with immigrants.

Now you know where is the rhea. Let's see what this bird eats.

What does nandu eat?

Nandu eat anything they can grab and swallow. But the basis of their diet (more than 99%) is still plant foods.

They're eating:

leaves of (usually) dicotyledonous plants, both native and introduced from the families Amaranthaceae, Compositae, Bignoniaceae, Brassicaceae, Legumes, Lamiaceae, Myrtle and Nightshade, may eat thorns that sheep avoid;
dry and juicy fruits, seeds according to the season;
tubers;
cereals in the fields or eucalyptus leaves in plantations are eaten only occasionally, which partly saves them from the wrath of farmers;
invertebrates, which make up 0.1% of the diet, and young animals love such food more than adults;
vertebrates, which are less than 0.1% of the diet.

For grinding and better digestion of plant foods, the bird needs pebbles, preferably pebbles, but at the same time, the rhea, like the African ostrich, swallows various shiny objects made of metal and other materials.

Features of character and lifestyle

Nandu are usually active during the day and only on especially hot days transfer their activity to the twilight period. Usually, individuals of different sexes and ages gather in small flocks of 5–30 (50) birds, keeping a “personal” distance of about 1 m. When approaching, the birds express displeasure, hissing and shaking their wings. Almost all the time they walk slowly in search of food, lowering their beak below 50 cm and carefully examining the ground.

From time to time they raise their heads to survey the surroundings. The larger the group in which they walk, the less often each of them has to look around, devoting more time to feeding. Having found food, the rhea grabs it and throws it up, swallowing it on the fly.

In case of danger, the nandu can not only run away, making sharp turns in different directions, but also hide, suddenly sitting on the ground and sprawling on it. Nandu can fit well in the company of large herbivores - guanacos and vicuñas. Often they "graze" with livestock, which allows them to better track enemies.

The popular name "nandu" is considered to be an onomatopoeia of the peculiar cry of a bird, which is characteristic of males during the mating season. It is equally reminiscent of the low roar of a predator, a bull, and wind in a chimney. Of domestic birds, similar sounds can be made by a large bittern. In case of danger, nandu make hoarse grunting sounds, or hiss to intimidate relatives. The father communicates with the chicks by whistling.

Social structure and reproduction

The mating season begins in August - January. Males move away from the flock in search of a nest site. Having chosen a secluded corner, the male lies down and pulls in a circle all the branches, grass and leaves that he manages to reach. When an opponent appears, he behaves aggressively, taking threatening postures until he retires. Then he dances a mating dance with screams and spreading of wings for lack of other means to attract partners.

The system of breeding and rearing nandu chicks can be called communal: in one nest there are eggs of different mothers and not always of the father who incubates them. It turns out so. Females gather in groups - harems and migrate around the territory, visiting the nests in a sequence that depends on the activity of their male owner. In each nest they leave eggs, often conceived from another.

One female brings from 3 to 12 eggs. The average clutch size in the nest is 26 eggs from 7 different females. A case was noted when a dozen females visited the nest and left 80 eggs in it. The male controls the filling of the nest, after a few days he stops letting the females in and starts incubating.

Eggs of a large cream-colored rhea weigh an average of 600 g with a size of 130 x 90 mm. The incubation period is 29 - 43 days. Newborns, dressed in a striped down outfit, feed and run on their own, as it should be for brood birds, but remain under the supervision of their father for about six months. They become sexually mature by 14 months, according to other sources - by the end of the second year.

Interesting fact: You should not consider the male rhea an unfortunate victim of feminists: often he has a voluntary assistant from the young, who replaces him on the nest. And the released father arranges a new house and again collects eggs in it. Sometimes males make nests in the neighborhood - less than a meter apart - peacefully steal neighbors' eggs, and then jointly take care of the chicks. A male raising chicks may accept orphaned chicks that have strayed from another parent.

Natural enemies of nandu

These fast and strong birds have few enemies:

only large cats are afraid of adult birds: () and
chicks and young birds are caught by stray and feathered predators - caracara;
eggs are eaten by armadillos (armadillos) of all kinds.

Previously, nandu often became objects of hunting. Their meat and eggs are quite edible and even tasty, feathers are widely used for jewelry, fat - in cosmetics. For all kinds of crafts, skin and egg shells can serve. Now hunting is not particularly relevant, but farmers can shoot birds as pests of fields and competitors to their livestock. Sometimes they are caught alive for the removal of feathers. Barbed wire fences, stretched along almost all land, can cause injury to birds, although they usually deftly slip between the wires.

Interesting fact: Birds bred in captivity are very gullible and are not afraid of anyone. Before releasing them into nature, it is necessary to conduct special courses on identifying the main predators so that the young do not become their easy prey. Moreover, when recruiting for courses, one must take into account the personal characteristics of birds: are they bold or cautious. The latter turn out to be more successful learners and survive reintroduction better.

Population and species status

According to the IUCN Red Lists, the big rhea in its homeland has the status of a “close to vulnerable” species, that is, nothing threatens it yet, but in Argentina in 1981 a decision was made to protect it. Including all subspecies, it occupies a vast range of 6,540,000 km2. This area is gradually decreasing due to the development of its farmers, especially in Argentina and Uruguay, but the process does not yet look threatening.

The birds themselves are sometimes killed for eating vegetable crops (cabbage, chard, soybeans and bok choy). This is not their main food and is used only for lack of a better one, but this does not make it easier for the affected farmers and they shoot the "harmful" birds. Egg collection, stubble burning, and pesticide spraying reduce numbers. But the uncontrollably growing German population poses a potential danger to the local fauna and causes concern among environmentalists.

Small rhea, according to the IUCN, in the south of the continent does not need the supervision of conservationists. Only its isolated population (the so-called "Tarapac rhea"), which is initially insignificant and has 1000 - 2500 adults, has the status of "close to vulnerable". The population is located in the territories of three national parks, which is a good measure of protection from egg collection and hunting. However, in Chile, the lesser rhea is fully classified as a "vulnerable species" and is protected everywhere.

At rhea good prospects. Not just for conservation, but for prosperity. These birds are easily domesticated, and there are many rhea farms around the world. Perhaps they will appear or already exist in our country along with ostriches. After all, keeping a Nanda is no more difficult than African ostriches or emus. The breeding of animals in culture not only preserves wild populations, but is often used to replenish and restore them.

Nandu is separate view ostriches, common in the territory South America. These birds form their own separate family - rhea. Despite the outward resemblance to the flightless keelless birds that live in Africa, the relationship with these feathered creatures is currently considered controversial. Some researchers believe that ratites appeared on different continents at the same time. However, given that these birds are not able to fly, most likely their ancestor did have such an ability. Due to different habitats, many species of ratites have gone their own way of development and adaptation to existing conditions, therefore they have a lot of distinctive features.

Nandu is a separate species of ostrich, common in South America.

These birds are significantly inferior in size to their possible relatives from Africa. The common Nandu ostrich grows to about 1.4 m in height. The weight of an adult bird usually ranges from 30-40 kg. The South American Nandu ostrich has a rather dense plumage. Not only the torso, but also the long neck has such a cover. Like other ostrich species, the rhea has a relatively small head. The eyes are quite large, thanks to which the birds have excellent eyesight and can spot any approaching predator.

Like other feathered creatures, the rhea has a beak. It is pointed and relatively small, so it does not weigh down the head. Since these birds refused to fly, preferring terrestrial life to it, they developed long and very strong legs in the process of adaptation. Thanks to strong joints, the bird can move quickly even on rocky terrain. To maintain stability, 3 toes were preserved on each foot. The foot in adults is covered with a thick horny cover, which greatly facilitates movement over rough terrain. This South American ostrich can reach speeds of about 60 km/h.

Despite the fact that these birds lost the ability to fly due to their weight, their wings were not reduced. They are actively used when running, which allows the ostrich to better balance. In some cases, the wings spread like a sail. This allows the ostrich to run faster with less energy. Quite impressive claws are also hidden on the wings under the feathers, which can be used as a weapon when attacking a predator and while searching for food.

Thanks to strong limbs, the American ostrich can not only run perfectly, but is also an excellent swimmer.

Nandu feathers resemble soft fluff. Thanks to this, the plumage looks very fluffy. However, even if an ostrich really wants to use its wings for flight, it will not be able to do this, since there are no special hooks that would fasten individual elements, forming a strong smooth surface of the feather, like other birds. The Nandu ostrich has a very specific voice. The singing of these birds cannot be called pleasant. When giving voice, sounds similar to "nan-du" and wheezing appear.

Snow-white nandu (video)

Gallery: Nandu ostrich (25 photos)

Nandu ostrich habitat

These birds are distributed over a fairly wide area. Their large populations are present in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay. Some species of ostriches, belonging to the Nandu-like, are found mainly in the southern part of Peru. Usually these creatures prefer open savannas and steppe zones. Many species of rhea ostriches graze on the windswept lowlands of Patagonia.

These birds also love the Andes mountain plateaus. The so-called Darwinian rhea can climb for grazing to an altitude of about 4500 m above sea level. This species is also found in the subpolar extreme south of South America. Northern nandu prefers to settle in lower areas where the air temperature is higher. These birds easily adapt to new conditions, so they can live wherever territories are rich in food. Nandu ostriches, living in rather difficult conditions of the savannas, are omnivores. Their diet includes:

It is believed that these birds, when given the opportunity, can kill and eat snakes. For a long time, nandu can do without water, using the amount of liquid that is present in food. Since ostriches, like other birds, do not have teeth, they solve this problem by regularly swallowing small stones, which are called gastroliths. They help to grind food in the stomach, which allows you to extract the maximum amount of nutrients from it.

Behavior in nature and reproduction of Nandu ostriches

Throughout the year, females try to gather in herds of up to 30 individuals. This allows them to be more protected from possible predators. Males can form small flocks, but usually they lead a solitary lifestyle, protecting a separate territory. In some cases, the groups are heterogeneous. Nandu-like animals are quite calm about the neighborhood of ungulates, so they can join their herds. During the breeding season, harems are usually formed in a separate area, in which there is 1 male for 3-7 females. This is enough for the appearance of offspring.

For a long time, the male must prepare for the upcoming breeding season. He needs to eat a lot. It is the male in the harem who incubates the eggs, so he needs to accumulate large fat reserves. Only then can he join the fight for the right to become a father. If the harem chooses a male, he begins to prepare the place where the laying begins. Nanda bird eggs, like those of other ostrich species, are quite large. The volume of 1 ostrich egg is equivalent to 2-4 dozen chicken.

Given that they are a delicious dietary product, for many centuries the locals have been stealing them for food and using the shell for crafts.

After the laying of eggs occurs, the male begins to incubate them, covering them with his thick feathers from the hot sun and night coolness. A clutch may contain from 15 to 40 eggs. Incubation continues for 6 weeks. After the appearance of the chicks, their father immediately tries to take them to any source of water. After that, he stays with the young for a long time. He does not need to look for food for the chicks, since from the first days they cope with this task themselves. Thus, the male plays the role of an accompanying protector from a predator.

The Nandu ostrich, although similar in appearance to its African relative, belongs to a different family and order, called Nandu-like by specialists. It has a more modest body size and a different habitat. Nandu is often grown on farms, as it can produce a large amount of egg, meat and feather products. Find out more about this amazing bird (species description, nutritional diet, breeding characteristics) right now.

Under natural conditions, Nandu lives in Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia. Northern Nandu lives in a warm climate, and Darwin's Nandu lives at altitudes of at least 4500 above sea level.

Of all the birds known to us, scientists call ostriches the largest in the world - they grow up to 270 cm, and can weigh about 175 kg. The South American ostrich, unlike its relative from Africa, can reach a height of more than 140 cm and weighs no more than 40 kg.

Nandu outwardly is a keelless bird, which received from nature an oval-shaped body, large legs, a long neck and a small head. Nandu's neck seems somewhat rough, as it is covered with feathers.

Although Nandu cannot fly, he uses his wings while running - he lifts one up during maneuvers. On the paws of such birds it is easy to see not 2, but 3 fingers. Perhaps this is the reason why rhea runs worse than other ostrich breeds.

There is an opinion that the Nandu ostrich is the first flightless bird from which other species originated. The fact is that the American representative has sharp claws - such were their ancient ancestors in the Paleocene.

Nandu are polygamous - there are usually 3-7 females per male, but at the same time, the male is able to incubate and raise offspring. So the task of the female is only to lay eggs. These ostriches live in groups and are able to graze with cows or sheep. They love water and feel great in it. When there is no reservoir nearby, ostriches do this: during the day they sleep in a cool place, at night they are awake.

What does it eat

Nandu prefer a varied diet. Their diet is based on plant foods, in a smaller amount there is a share of mineral and animal.

The main source of carbohydrates and fiber are wheat, barley, corn and oats. From succulent feed, hay is suitable, consisting of clover and other grasses growing in the meadow. The source of minerals and vitamins during the winter-autumn period will be raw and boiled potato tubers, carrots, and beets.

reproduction

In Nandu females, puberty occurs at 2–3 years, and males enter this period at 3.5 years. Younger ostriches carry "empty" eggs.

When forming families, birds of 1, 2 and 3 years of laying should be kept separately. Thus, in autumn it will be easier to select individuals for breeding. If it is not possible to keep birds separately, it is recommended to mark each in a special journal.

It is customary to get young Nanda in one of three ways:

The first assumes that parents are kept in open pens or insulated rooms. Eggs are taken from the nest for incubation, which contributes to the subsequent increase in their number. Chicks are usually raised without parents. From each female with this method, it is realistic to get about 40 eggs.
Another method - parents live in closed-type poultry houses with year-round walking. The eggs are incubated by an ostrich. The owner of the birds needs to protect her offspring from predators. Although there is savings in terms of incubation of eggs, the disadvantage is that the female herself incubates no more than 20 pieces.
A third is known - a mixed method, when some of the eggs are placed in an incubator, and the rest are incubated by the female.

Nandu eggs

Nandu's nest is a depression in the ground, lined with grass, which is guarded by the male. A fresh, freshly laid egg is sterile, but as it cools, it loses this feature, and bacteria can easily penetrate through the shell. Do not wash their surface, even if contamination is found on it.

To stimulate high egg production, eggs should be taken from the nest at least 2 times a day. On average, an egg weighs about 620 grams. The yolk in it is located in the center, consists of light and dark layers. If the yolk is intensely colored, this indicates an increased presence of vitamin A in the diet of the female.

Nandu eggs are healthy and nutritious. They can easily replace about a dozen chicken eggs. Such a product is recommended for those who follow the figure, their health or follow a diet.

Eggs are also used in folk craft. A dense shell is considered valuable. From her creative people make souvenirs. It serves as the basis for beautiful paintings and even vases. In terms of its properties, the eggshell is very similar to noble porcelain.

Perhaps Nandu got its name because during the mating season, the female makes a sound reminiscent of this word. In general, a feature of birds is the ability to scream loudly and make hissing sounds. Sometimes from the side they resemble the hiss of predatory animals.

Ostriches sleep in groups that they live in. For security purposes, during the night's rest, they leave an attendant who guards the sleep of others.

Nandu's favorite delicacy is locust. There are cases when the birds were so full that they gained weight and could not run.

The ostrich defends itself from predators with its beak, as well as with the blows of its powerful legs. If necessary, he is able to kill a rather large predator with one blow.

Under natural conditions, birds protect their offspring from the attacks of predatory animals, distracting the enemy. They fall on the sand and get up, as if wounded, and at this time the kids run away to the rest of the adult ostriches. But if a predator tries to attack an ostrich at the moment of such a performance, it quickly runs away. Also, in case of danger, the bird can lie down and pretend to be dead. At the same time, she stretches her head, then at a distance she is not visible.

Video "Randu in the National Park"

Thanks to this short video, you have the opportunity to watch Nanda in his natural environment habitats - in the Torres del Paine National Park (Chile).

Ostriches are birds that do not have the ability to fly, but they can accelerate to such speeds that they can easily overtake a passing car. They are much larger and more beautiful than other birds. There are several types of ostrich: African, American Nandu and Australian emu. In this article we will talk about the American species of ostriches - rhea.

The Nandu ostrich has a very normal body structure: it has a flat chest, an oval-shaped body, strong legs, a long neck and a very small head. The color of ostriches is gray, sometimes with a brown tint. Some ostriches resemble albinos: their body is covered with white feathers, and their eyes are deep blue.

American ostriches look very similar to African ones. However, the former have volumes almost two times smaller. The weight of the nandu is about 35-40 kg. Most big ostriches have a height of up to 1.5 m. Also distinctive feature from African ostriches is the neck, on which the nandu has small short feathers, when it does not have them at all in African relatives.

On the paws of ostriches there are 3 fingers, instead of two, which join the rest with a small membrane. Nandu is inferior to the African ostrich even in running. The speed of American ostriches can reach a maximum of 60 km / h. Instead, the rhea has excellent swimming abilities and can safely swim across large rivers. When sailing, the wings act as a sail when extended. Ostriches use claws on their wings to protect themselves from predators. However, due to their speed, ostriches rarely fall into the clutches of the beast.

Video - Common rhea

Nandu habitats

From the name of the ostrich, it is immediately clear that the inhabitant of South America has spread throughout the continent. Every side of America is inhabited different types this ostrich. So there are two types:

Small ostrich (Darwin, long-beaked).
Large ostrich (northern, common).

Darwin's ostrich is common in Argentina, especially in the Southern Andes and Patagonia, as well as in Chile, Southern Peru, Bolivia and Tierra del Fuego. The long-billed ostrich can even live at an altitude of about 4.5 thousand km.

The second type of Nandu ostrich, the northern one, is much more common. In addition to all the places in which the small ostrich lives, it can also be found in Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, in the south of the Amazon to the very Middle Argentina. The common ostrich prefers open areas (Andean plateaus, lowlands).

The nature of the ostrich, its behavior and lifestyle

The American Nandu ostrich is located near the banks of water bodies, near swamps and in areas with thickets and grass. Two different extremes, forests and highlands, are not familiar to him and are of little use. Ostriches can always live in the same territory. They look for a new home only if a fire breaks out in their area or another natural disaster occurs, as a result of which it became impossible to live.

Ostriches are sociable and flocking birds. They gather in one large company, which can include up to 40 goals. Although there are also flocks in which more than 100 birds, however, are much less common. Each flock necessarily contains several males, females and young chicks. When the breeding season begins, the entire flock breaks up into several groups, which make up 1 male and up to 10 females. The male is engaged in the protection of the territory. Old birds can gather in a group by age and live separately from others, or even in absolute solitude.

When the rhea feel threatened, they run. When running, ostriches tilt their heads forward, and make very loud noises. They run in a zigzag pattern. This allows them to confuse the predator and break away from it. Ostriches can live together with other representatives of animal groups: deer, guanacos, sometimes sheep or cows.

What do ostriches eat

American Nandu ostriches can eat absolutely everything - they are omnivores. So, for example, the following products can become their food:

Greens, grass and other broad-leaved crops.
Flying, jumping and crawling insects (grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, flies, etc.).
Plants' seeds.
Various fruits and berries.
Plant roots.
Fish, shellfish and other arthropods.

If possible, elements such as excrement of cows, horses, deer and carrion can also get into food. The snake may become part of their diet. However, they touch them only in cases of threat from the creepers.

Small stones can be eaten by ostriches - they are required for correct operation gastrointestinal tract of animals. If you are or want to breed ostriches, the following table will help you.

Table 1. Nutrition of ostrich chicks

Food, c.	1 month	2 months	3 months	4-6 months
Bread	20	80	200	200
Groats	15	80	100	100
Bran	20	30	50	100
shit	10	30	50	100
Eggs	10	20	20	10
Cottage cheese	10	20	20	50
Milk	30	50	50	2
Alfalfa	20	30	100	200
Carrot	20	100	100	100
Beet	30	100	100	200
Onion	5	20	50	50
meat and bone meal	5	10	15	20
feed yeast	3	5	10	10
Fish flour	3	5	10	20
Chalk/shell	1	3	10	10

Prices for bone meal

Bone flour

Ostrich breeding

The mating season for Nandu ostriches begins with the arrival of autumn and ends with the first month of winter.

Nanda ostrich is polygamous. He collects a flock of several females (up to 10). Immediately after mating, the male creates a nest. They serve as a small hole in the ground, covered with grass. All female ostriches lay their eggs in the same nesting area. After that, the females leave in search of a new male, while the father remains to incubate the eggs. Hatching takes a little more than a month, about 35-40 days. He jealously guards the nest with eggs from enemies, warms them and tries to spend all the time next to them.

Prices for an ovoscope for diagnosing eggs

Up to 50 eggs can be in one nest, but usually this number is not more than 35. Newborn ostrich chicks are under close supervision for almost six months. When the kids feel danger, they climb onto their father's back or simply hide under his voluminous wings.

It is important for a novice farmer to know how the birds he plans to breed breed. you will learn all about the reproduction of poultry and how the mating and incubation of eggs takes place.

Nandu breeding

American birds can safely be under the care of people. They are bred in specialized fenced areas in order to obtain eggs, meat, skins and feathers.

Ostrich eggs are in the greatest demand. They have a large number of useful elements necessary for a person. The shell is used for further processing. Since it looks somewhat like porcelain, various accessories are made from it, such as a vase, picture frames, decorative dishes, etc.

The American ostrich belongs to the Nandu-like birds, which cannot fly, but run very well. AT wild nature this quality gives them a great advantage, so they have almost no natural enemies.

Outwardly, nandu are similar to their African counterparts, but ornithologists do not yet have accurate data on this. These ostriches are very different from their supposed relatives.

habitats

The ostrich of South America has chosen the American continent. There are 2 varieties of these large birds: small (Darwin, or long-billed) and large (ordinary, or northern).

The long-billed rhea lives in the southern regions of Argentina (Southern Andes and Patagonia), in Chile, Bolivia, South Peru and on the island of Tierra del Fuego. The ostrich from Chile also feels good at altitudes up to 4500 km.

The common ostrich is more common. It is found in Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia. Its habitat includes the south of the Amazon basin up to Central Argentina. He prefers open savannas (Andean plateaus, Patagonian lowlands).

Native to the Americas, Brazilian ostriches live in low-lying areas with milder and warmer climates.

The appearance of an ostrich

Nanda ostrich refers to flat-chested, or keelless, birds with a slightly elongated oval body, large strong legs, a long neck and a miniature head. Their plumage color is brown-gray, gray or grayish-brown with white spots on the back. Among this species of birds, albinos are often found with blue eyes and white feathers.

Unlike relatives from Africa (they look like an African ostrich in general body structure), South American ostriches are 2 times smaller in size. Their weight barely reaches 40 kg, and the growth of the largest individuals ranges from 140 to 150 cm. The neck is covered with short feathers, while in Africans it is devoid of feather cover.

There are 3 fingers on the paws, not 2. In addition, they are connected by a short membrane. The nandu bird runs much worse than its African relative. It rarely speeds over 60 km/h. But on the other hand, it swims well and easily overcomes rivers. At the same time, while running, the ostrich uses its wings as a sail, skillfully spreading them for maneuver. At the ends of the wings there are keratinized processes - claws designed for self-defense.

Nutrition

In the diet of the ostrich rhea omnivorous.

He uses with equal pleasure:

grass (alfalfa, clover) and various broad-leaved crops (thistle, etc.);
insects (beetles, grasshoppers, etc.);
seeds;
fruits, berries;
rhizomes;
fish and small arthropods.

When the opportunity presents itself, birds will not disdain the excrement of artiodactyls and carrion. They can kill a snake if it somehow threatens their life. These birds drink water relatively rarely, because they have enough liquid contained in food.

Periodically, ostriches from America swallow small stones (gastroliths) that are required for a normal digestive process.

reproduction

In autumn, from about September to December (depending on the habitat), the mating season begins for the nandu.

The American ostrich is considered a polygamous bird because the male gathers around him a harem of 3-7 females. After mating, he equips a nesting site by digging a hole in the ground and lining it with grass. All females lay their eggs in this nest. If an inattentive mother left the egg outside, then the father gently rolls it to the entire masonry. Then the females leave to look for another male, and the father incubates the eggs for 37–40 days. He courageously protects the masonry from those who like to eat, warms the eggs and tries not to leave the nest.

The clutch may consist of 25-30 eggs, and sometimes it reaches up to 50.

Hatched chicks grow under the watchful eye of their father until about 6 months old. In case of danger, they can climb onto the male's back or hide under his wide wings.

The nature and lifestyle of the bird

The Argentine ostrich prefers to live near the banks of rivers, water bodies, along the edges of swamps and in areas with dense grass. Forest and mountainous regions are of little use for him. Nandu live settled, moving only in case of natural disasters (fires, etc.).

Birds lead a social lifestyle, gathering in flocks of 20–30 individuals. In rare cases, their number can reach up to 100. There are several adult males, young and females in the flock. During the mating season, the flock breaks up into groups consisting of 7–10 females and 1 male. Each male has its own territory, which it jealously guards. Old males can separate from relatives and live alone.

When danger arises, ostriches flee. They run, crouching slightly to the ground, stretching their necks strongly and making loud noises. At the same time, they run in zigzags, and not in a straight line, which confuses their pursuers. These birds like to live in mixed groups with guanacos, vicunas and deer, and occasionally with sheep and cows.

Nandu breeding

The ostrich from South America lives well in captivity. Birds are grown on special ostrich farms for eggs, dietary meat, feathers and skins.

They are especially popular, which contain many trace elements and useful substances. The shell is also processed. Various crafts and souvenirs are made from it. The shell is somewhat reminiscent of porcelain, so you can make vases, picture frames, etc. from it.

Ostrich skin is valued no less than crocodile skin. She goes to the manufacture of expensive luxury accessories and branded handbags.

Poultry farmers today have ceased to be exotic. With a competent approach to business, these birds bring income.

There are some interesting facts about the ostrich from Brazil:

Ostrich feathers are widely used in the manufacture of hats, fans, fans and jewelry. But they are not pulled out, but are carefully cut off at the very skin twice a year.
You can ride ostriches and harness them to a team.
A fleeing bird may suddenly fall to the ground, stretch its neck and legs. Because of the grass, she is not visible and the pursuers think that she has suddenly disappeared. Then the ostrich quickly jumps up and runs in the other direction.
The stride length while running is 1.5–2 m.
Some farmers in Argentina use ostriches to guard grazing