Wattled Jacana

Overview

The Wattled Jacana is a striking wetland bird of Central and South America, easily recognized by its solid black head and neck contrasting with rich chestnut body plumage, a bright yellow fleshy shield and wattle above the bill, and remarkably long toes and claws. These oversized feet distribute the bird's weight across floating vegetation such as water lily pads, allowing it to walk over the surface of ponds and marshes. The species is also notable for a polyandrous breeding system, in which females mate with multiple males who alone incubate the eggs and raise the young.

Feather Identification

• Head and neck: Solid black feathering.
• Body: Rich chestnut plumage on the back, breast, and flanks.
• Flight feathers: Primaries and secondaries are yellow-green, a color usually hidden at rest but conspicuous in flight.
• Facial shield: A fleshy yellow frontal shield and wattle above the bill is diagnostic, though this is bare skin rather than feathering.
• Feet: Extremely long toes and claws, longer in proportion than the body, used to distribute weight on floating leaves.
• Versus similar jacanas: Other jacana species differ in shield shape and color and in the extent of chestnut versus black plumage.

Plumage Notes

Sexes are similar in pattern, though females average larger than males. Juveniles show largely white underparts and brown upperparts, gradually acquiring the adult chestnut-and-black plumage as they mature. A complete molt occurs annually.

Habitat & Range

The Wattled Jacana is widespread from Panama through most of South America east of the Andes to northern Argentina. It is found on freshwater marshes, ponds, slow rivers, and lakes with abundant floating vegetation such as water lilies, and is resident and non-migratory.

Behavior & Field Notes

Wattled Jacanas walk across floating vegetation using their long toes to distribute weight, foraging for insects and other invertebrates. The species is notable for a polyandrous breeding system in which females mate with multiple males, and males alone incubate the eggs and tend the chicks. Calls are sharp, chattering notes, often given when the bird is alarmed.