African Jacana

Scientific Classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves

• Order:Ciconiiformes
• Family:Jacanidae
• Genus:Actophilornis
• Genus species:Actophilornis africanus
• Animal Characteristics
• Head-Body Length:30 cm

Identification:The African jacana has a brown body with a bright blue frontal shield and beak. They have extremely long toes and a white foreneck and face.
Habitat:Tropical wetlands, marshes, rivers, lakes
Diet:Omnivore: aquatic insects, crustaceans, seeds
Reproduction:The breeding season falls between October and April. After her mate builds a nest out of floating vegetation, the female lays four eggs. Males are responsible for incubating the eggs for 25 days while the female moves on to mate with 2-3 other males. The chicks leave the nest within a couple of hours of hatching and are capable of feeding themselves. However, they will remain under their father's protection for three months.
Social Structure:When not breeding, jacanas may be seen in flocks containing hundreds of birds.
Behavior:Jacanas have been known to use other animals such as hippos to attract flies. Besides walking on water, jacanas are excellent swimmers and divers.
Status:No special status
Interesting Facts:The long toes of the jacana are used to walk on floating vegetation such as lily pads. Once a year, they will molt and become completely flightless, so it is imperative that they be excellent swimmers.