African Jacana

Actophilornis africanus

The African Jacana is a beautiful bird known for its long legs and big feet. It walks on lily pads and floats on water, making it look like it's dancing!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The African Jacana is a striking bird with a chestnut-brown body, a black cap, and a bright white neck stripe. It has a vivid sky-blue frontal shield and exceptionally long, spider-like toes for walking on water plants.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyJacanidaeGenusActophilornis

African Jacana

Interesting facts

Dad Jacanas carry their tiny chicks safely tucked under their wings.

Its babies can swim and dive almost immediately after hatching!

Their long toes help them balance on lily pads, making them look like water ballerinas!

They lay shiny, olive-brown eggs that blend perfectly with swampy water.

Special abilities

African Jacana can seemingly walk on water because its incredibly long toes spread weight over floating vegetation, preventing sinking.

African Jacana has super dads that incubate eggs and care for chicks, allowing mothers to find other mates.

African Jacana chicks can dive underwater and cling to vegetation, hiding completely from predators with only their bill exposed.

Measurements & details

Length: 23-31 cm
Wingspan: 45-50 cm
Weight: 0.13-0.26 kg
Lifespan: 8-12 years
Top Speed: 35 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-4
Incubation: 22-26 days

Diet & Feeding

These birds nibble on insects, small fish, and seeds found in watery habitats.

Primary Foods

Aquatic insects
Insect larvae
Small fish
Seeds
Snails
Crustaceans

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

African Fish Eagle

Haliaeetus vocifer

Preys on adult jacanas and their chicks.

eaten by

Nile Crocodile

Crocodylus niloticus

Ambush predator of adults and chicks near water.

eaten by

Nile Monitor

Varanus niloticus

Raids nests for eggs and preys on chicks.

eats

African Water Stick Insect

Laccotrephes robustus

Eats this common aquatic insect in wetlands.

eats

African Bladder Snail

Bulinus globosus

Forages for this small snail among aquatic plants.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Webbed Feet

Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.

Spotted

Marked with spots or patches of a different color.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.