Rhea are native to South America. They are raised around the world for their feathers, hide and meat (and their eggs) depending on the market available. The feathers are used for feather dusters. The hide is converted to leather and used to produce a variety of products.

Unlike most birds, rhea have only three toes on each foot (instead of the common four toes per food). They also store urine separately in an expansion of the cloaca.