The greater rhea, also called the American rhea, is endemic to eastern South America. Their name is derived from the Greek mother of the gods. This flightless bird looks similar to an ostrich. However, it is smaller at about five feet tall and weighs 80 pounds. Another difference is the rhea has three toes versus the ostrich’s two. They are a threatened species in the wild but are becoming popular among farmers for their meat, eggs, leather and oil used in cosmetics. This bird is one of the last you will see during your two-hour drive through the Wildlife Safari in Weston, Oregon.