Jacana
Name: Comb-Crested JacanaScientific Name: Irediparra gallinacea
Basic Information:
The Comb-Crested Jacana is part of the family Jacanidae. This small freshwater bird's most striking features are its extremely long legs and very large feet, which is uses to walk across floating vegetation in the shallow lakes they call home. This subspecies is also easily identified by the red wattle covering the forehead of their white face. Jacanas eat mostly insects and other invertebrates and lay eggs in nests built on floating vegetation. Males are responsible for incubation of the eggs and once hatched, offspring do not remain long in the nest. Adult females are slightly larger than males but are otherwise similar in appearance.
Habitat Information:
Wetland, River, and Lake - Part of the wetland, river, and lake habitat exhibit is a chance to learn just how important these environments are to our planet. Most humans in the developed world have grown accustomed to plentiful water sources and have never been forced to think about what life would be like without these crucial parts of the ecosystem. Zoo visitors will have a chance to reflect on this important issue while still engaging in fun and exciting animal viewing in this habitat.
Jacanas at Windaroo:
Come and enjoy the site of these birds running across lily pads in our wetland, river, and lake habitat exhibit. These novel birds may be of particular interest to children.
Related Animals:
Crocodile
Kingfisher
Otter
A-Z Animal List