National Zoo Male Rhea and 2 Chicks (IMAGE) Smithsonian Caption Two of the four new rhea chicks at the Smithsonian's National Zoo nest in the feathers of their father. The chicks hatched on April 20 and were the first rhea chicks to hatch at the National Zoo in 30 years. Dedicated fathers, it is the male rhea who incubates the eggs and protects the chicks after they hatch. The Zoo is now home to a total of seven rheas: a male, two females, and the four new chicks. Credit Mehgan Murphy/Smithsonian’s National Zoo Usage Restrictions Use of this image is restricted to media coverage of the National Zoo. Use for commercial or merchandising purposes is expressly forbidden. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.