Jacana (genus) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jacana |
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| Wattled jacana (Jacana jacana) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Charadriiformes |
| Family: | Jacanidae |
| Genus: | Jacana Brisson, 1760 |
| Type species | |
| Parra jacana Linnaeus, 1766
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Parra Linnaeus, 1766 |
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The Jacana is a group of two bird species found in the Americas. These birds are known for their very long toes, which help them walk on floating plants. The two species are the northern jacana (Jacana spinosa) and the wattled jacana (Jacana jacana). They are sometimes called "Jesus birds" because they look like they are walking on water!
What Are Jacanas?
The name Jacana was first used by a French zoologist named Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760. He described the wattled jacana, which is now considered the main example of this group.
How Jacanas Look
Both jacana species are quite similar in size, growing to about 22 centimeters (9 inches) long. They have long necks and yellow bills. Adult jacanas are mostly black and chestnut-brown. When they fly, you can see their pale yellow-green flight feathers, which stand out a lot.
Their legs are long and grayish. Like all jacanas, their toes are super long. These long toes help them spread their weight. This allows them to walk easily on floating plants like lily pads without sinking.
Jacanas also have special features on their faces. They have a frontal shield, which is a hard plate on their forehead. They also have wattles, which are fleshy growths. The differences in these face parts are the easiest way to tell the two species apart. Young jacanas look different. They are brown on top and white underneath. They have a light stripe above their eye and a dark stripe behind it.
Where Jacanas Live
Jacanas live in marshes across the tropical and subtropical parts of the Americas. Marshes are wetlands with lots of soft, wet land and tall grasses. The northern jacana lives in one area, and the wattled jacana lives in another. Their territories meet in western Panama.
Jacana Reproduction
Jacanas have a very interesting way of raising their families. In most bird species, the female builds the nest and takes care of the eggs. But for jacanas, it's the opposite! The male jacana builds the nest. He also sits on the eggs to keep them warm (this is called incubating). After the chicks hatch, he takes care of them.
Female jacanas can lay eggs for several different males. This is called being polyandrous. It means one female mates with multiple males. Each female can lay up to four eggs for each male. Then, each male takes care of his own clutch of eggs and chicks all by himself.
