To evaluate the causes of high mortality in great rhea chicks, we performed a study searching for megabacteria in Gram stained smear of eight great rhea gizzards, also examined by histopathology. The results were positive in four great rhea. The confirmation of megabacteriosis in great rhea in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, has great importance, because the disease could be causing severe economic losses. We emphasize the need of further studies in the different great rhea farms to investigate the possible role of megabacteriosis in the high mortality of great rhea chicks.
great rhea; Rhea americana; megabacteria; avian pathology
