The National Zoo has some excellent shots on Flickr of some rhea chicks with their father—just in time for Father’s Day!

Rheas are South American ratites, which are a group of flightless birds that “have no keel on their sternum, [so] without this to anchor their wing muscles they could not fly even if they were to develop suitable wings.” Even more unusual, the male rhea incubates the eggs and rears the chicks:

The male incubates from ten to sixty eggs. The male will utilize a decoy system and place some eggs outside the nest and sacrifice these to predators, so that they won’t attempt to get inside the nest. The male may utilize another subordinate male to incubate his eggs, while he finds another harem to start a second nest. The chicks hatch within 36 hours of each other. The females, meanwhile, may move on and mate with other males. While caring for the young, the males will charge at any perceived threat that approach the chicks including female rheas and humans. The young reach full adult size in about six months but do not breed until they reach two years of age.

More on these fascinating images from the National Zoo in Washington, DC:

Like most things, raising children is easier the second time around. Things are no different for the National Zoo’s adult male rhea, who for the second year in a row is celebrating Father’s Day with a brood of his own. Rhea chicks are raised by their fathers, who incubate their eggs and rear the chicks once they are hatched.

These chicks, which hatched on May 8, are reaping the benefits of Dad’s experiences from last year, when he was a first-time father to a flock of four. As before, he still keeps them close; as seen, rhea chicks sleep nestled in their father’s feathers on his back. However, this year he is also more relaxed, making it easier for keepers to care for and examine the chicks. The babies enjoy wandering, but Dad watches out for their safety, guarding them from any potential threat, including humans and even female rheas. When his chicks meander too far away, a rapid clacking of his bill will bring them all running. Despite the babies’ penchant for eating everything in sight—including rocks—this father is raising a healthy brood of lively chicks.

This year’s hatch is the second flock of rhea chicks born at the Zoo in thirty years. Rheas are large, flightless birds native to South America and are part of the ratite family, which also includes the ostrich, emu, kiwi, and cassowary.

Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy/Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Check out the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s photostream on Flickr!

Hat tip: @overyonder via Twitter.

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