Lesser jacana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lesser jacana |
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| Botswana | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Microparra
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| Species: |
capensis
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The lesser jacana (Microparra capensis) is a small bird found in Africa. It belongs to the Jacanidae family, known for birds that walk on water plants. You can spot it by its super long legs and claws. These special feet help it walk on floating leaves, almost like magic! It's smaller than its cousin, the African jacana. The lesser jacana loves to eat insects. Good news: this bird is not in danger, its conservation status is "least concern."
The name "jacana" comes from an old Tupi word, ñaha'nã.
Contents
What Does the Lesser Jacana Look Like?
The lesser jacana is the smallest bird in the Jacanidae family. It stands about 15–16 cm (6 inches) tall and weighs around 41 grams (1.4 ounces). It has a white chest and a golden forehead. Its head also features a cinnamon-colored crown and a dark stripe across its eye. The back and wings are darker.
Like other jacanas, it has very long legs and claws. These are perfect for walking on lily-pads and other water plants. This is why jacanas are sometimes called "lily trotters" or "Jesus birds." They look like they are walking right on top of the water!
Young African jacanas can look a lot like adult lesser jacanas. This can be confusing since both birds live in the same areas in Southern Africa. When flying, the lesser jacana is easier to spot. Its long legs trail behind its body, and its wings have a white edge.
Males and females of the lesser jacana look almost the same. This is called minimal sexual dimorphism. Females are usually about 4% larger than males. Some people have noticed that males might have darker backs than females.
Where Do Lesser Jacanas Live?
The lesser jacana lives in wetlands across many African countries. You can find them in places like Angola, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia. They like the edges of wetlands that have water all year or just during the rainy season.
They prefer areas with some sedge and grass growing in the water. When new pools fill up with rain, lesser jacanas might move to these fresh spots. They like areas where water lilies are not too thick, but sedges and grasses are more common. They use these plants to hide, so they can be hard to spot!
The lesser jacana often shares its home with the African jacana. These two species can live side-by-side in the same wetlands.
Lesser Jacana Behavior
What Do Lesser Jacanas Eat?
As the lesser jacana walks across lily pads or climbs grass stems, it hunts for insects. It pecks insects off plants around it. It also searches for insects by lifting submerged stems out of the water with its beak. Sometimes, it even swims to catch food right from the water's surface.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Lesser jacanas are special because both parents help raise their young. This is called biparental care. In many other jacana species, only the male takes care of the eggs. But with lesser jacanas, both the male and female build the nest. They also share the job of keeping the eggs warm equally. This is one reason why males and females look so similar. They have also been seen to stay with one partner, which is called monogamous behavior.
The lesser jacana lays two or three tan-colored eggs with black marks. They build a floating nest for their eggs. Their eggs look just like African jacana eggs, but they are smaller. The eggs are kept warm for about 19–21 days. Both parents hold the eggs against their chest, under their wing, to keep them warm.
Once the chicks hatch, the parents keep them safe under their wings. If there's danger, the parent quickly gathers its chicks and carries them away under its wing!
How Do Lesser Jacanas Communicate?
Lesser jacanas make five different sounds. One is a distress call, like "hwi hwi hwi…," which they make if someone gets too close to their chicks. The most common sound is a soft, melodic "woot" made by both males and females.
They also make a "peeving" sound like "see sree shrrr." Another sound is a soft "tchr tchr tchr." They might also repeat a "ti" or "hli" sound. If one jacana makes a call, its mate often answers with the same call. Males have been heard making a hoot-like sound to attract females.
