General

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. Sexes are similar, but female is slightly larger. Juvenile is gray-brown above with black on back of neck and crown, and has all white underparts.

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.