jacana

Jacana is a group of wading birds in the family Jacanidae. They inhabit tropical wetlands in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. They are notable for extremely long toes and claws that enable them to walk on floating vegetation, such as water lilies and other aquatic plants, with a distinctive gait. This adaptation helps them forage and avoid submerged predators.

Most jacanas are medium-sized with slender bodies, long necks, and pointed bills. Plumage varies by species; many are brown above with lighter underparts and may display contrasting markings on the wings or head.

Behaviorally, jacanas are known for a polyandrous mating system: females mate with multiple males, while each male tends a separate territory and incubates the eggs and rears the young. The nests are shallow and built on floating vegetation.

Diet comprises small invertebrates, seeds, and plant matter scraped from the surface of vegetation and water. They forage by walking slowly over floating mats, occasionally flicking their bills to probe.

Conservation status varies by species; while many jacanas are widespread and not threatened, some localized populations face habitat loss due to wetlands drainage, pollution, and agricultural development.