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Northern Jacana

Jacana spinosaOrder: CHARADRIIFORMESFamily: Jacanas (Jacanidae)

Breeding Location:

Marshes



Breeding Type:

Solitary nester, Polyandrous



Breeding Population:



Egg Color:

Brown with black streaks



Number of Eggs:

3 - 5



Incubation Days:

22 - 24



Egg Incubator:

Male



Nest Material:

Wet marsh vegetation



Migration:

Nonmigratory



Splitbar

Overview

Northern Jacana: Rail-like relative of plovers and shorebirds; is unique in having extremely long toes. Body is chestnut-brown with black head and neck, and flashy yellow-green flight feathers. Forehead has a fleshy orange-yellow frontal shield arising from base of bill. Weak mothlike flight.

Range and Habitat

Northern Jacana: Found from south Texas to Panama. Found in marshes, flooded fields, and slow-moving waters.

Breeding and Nesting

Northern Jacana: Lays three to five brown eggs with black streaks in a nest made of floating marsh plants, built up just enough to keep the eggs from drowning. Male incubates eggs for 22 to 24 days, and then tends precocial young; female mates with several males each season.

Foraging and Feeding

Northern Jacana: Feeds almost exclusively on insects, but will occasionally take fish. Forages on top of floating vegetation, using its long toes for support while walking; moves rapidly and erratically while gleaning insects from vegetation.

Vocalization

Northern Jacana: Makes loud, harsh "jik" notes that may accelerate into chatter.

Similar Species

Northern Jacana: None in North America.

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Family
Species Jacana spinosa
Length9 - 10 Inches
Wingspan20 Inches

Northern Jacana

Northern Jacana: Rail-like relative of plovers and shorebirds; is unique in having extremely long toes. Body is chestnut-brown with black head and neck, and flashy yellow-green flight feathers. Forehead has a fleshy orange-yellow frontal shield arising from base of bill. Weak mothlike flight.

● Song: "jik"

● Foraging & Feeding: Northern Jacana: Feeds almost exclusively on insects, but will occasionally take fish. Forages on top of floating vegetation, using its long toes for support while walking; moves rapidly and erratically while gleaning insects from vegetation.

● Breeding & nesting: Northern Jacana: Lays three to five brown eggs with black streaks in a nest made of floating marsh plants, built up just enough to keep the eggs from drowning. Male incubates eggs for 22 to 24 days, and then tends precocial young; female mates with several males each season.

● Similar species: Northern Jacana: None in North America.

Flight Pattern

Slow flight with shallow flaps and glides. Wings held above head briefly upon landing.
Northern Jacana Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Northern Jacana: Found from south Texas to Panama. Found in marshes, flooded fields, and slow-moving waters.
BreedingSolitary nester, Polyandrous
Population
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight2.8 Ounces