Jacanas | Jacanidae

Jacana's | Jacanas

A small family of eight species in tropical freshwater wetlands worldwide. Two species occur in the region: Northern Jacana on Cuba, Hispaniola and Jamaica, and Wattled Jacana on Trinidad and some of the southern islands. Their hallmark is the enormously long toes and claws, which spread the bird's weight over a wide area and let it walk across water lilies and other floating vegetation. The body is compact and the flight short and fluttering with legs trailing, revealing yellow-green flight feathers. Northern Jacana has a yellow frontal shield, Wattled Jacana a red shield with wattles. They take insects, snails and other invertebrates from leaf surfaces, and occasionally seeds. In both species the usual sex roles are reversed: the larger female holds a territory and mates with several males, each of which builds a floating nest and cares for eggs and young alone. When danger threatens the male tucks the chicks under his wings. Calls are rasping and chattering.