Jaçanas

 

Jaçanas are tropical and sub-tropical waders of the order Charadriiformes, comprising eight species divided between six genera. They are found in central and southern America, southern Africa, south-east Asia and northern Australia. Their preferred habitat is freshwater pools and lakes, where they are skilled at walking on lily leaves and other floating vegetation, thanks to their exceptionally long toes and claws.

The name jaçana came originally from the Tupi people of the Amazon basin, but is now a Portuguese word pronounced “zhasana” with the emphasis on the first and last syllables. Other names for these birds are “lily trotters” and “lotus birds”.

 

Appearance

The American, or northern, jaçana (Jacana spinoso), which is found in Mexico, the West Indies, and as far south as Panama, is about 10 inches in length and cinnamon-red in colour with greenish-yellow flight feathers. The head and neck are black and the head has a bright yellow frontal shield. This shield, similar to that found on coots and gallinules, is typical of jaçana species, as is the sharp spur on the bend of the wing that is used for fighting.

Other species vary in size, from the African jaçana (Actophilornis africana – see photo) at 12 inches to the pheasant-tailed jaçana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus, from Asia) that is 20 inches long thanks to its tail that is the same length as its body. The latter is also the most striking in appearance, with a bronze-brown back, black underparts, white face and neck, yellow nape and white wing patches. Although male and female jaçanas are similar in colour, the females are generally larger.

 

Behaviour

In flight, jaçanas resemble gallinules with their necks stretched forwards and legs trailing behind.

They are generally quiet birds, having a variety of grunts and whistles. However, when arguing over territory they can be much noisier as they scold and threaten each other with wings raised.

Their confidence in being able to walk on floating vegetation has made them approachable to quiet close distances. However, when alarmed jaçanas will either freeze or swim away. They can even dive if they have to.

Outside the breeding season, jaçanas congregate in small flocks and can be seen seen flying low over lakes and marshes. When they land, a typical behaviour is to stretch the wings right over the back until the tips nearly meet.

Jaçanas feed on insects, molluscs and small fish.

 

Breeding

A jaçana nest is a loose floating mass of vegetation that can easily drift in the wind. The usual clutch is four eggs which take around three to four weeks to hatch, with the male bird doing most of the incubating. He is also more active than the female in caring for the chicks when they hatch.

© John Welford