2-1-2024 LAMIN RICE FIELDS, GAMBIA - AFRICAN JACANA

The African jacana (Actophilornis africanus) is a wader in the family Jacanidae. It has long toes and long claws that enables it to walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, its preferred habitat. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. For the origin and pronunciation of the name, see Jacanidae.

The African jacanas is a conspicuous and unmistakable bird. It measures 23 to 31 cm (9.1 to 12.2 in) in overall length. As in other jacanas, the female is on average larger than the male. Males can weigh from 115 to 224 g (4.1 to 7.9 oz), averaging 137 g (4.8 oz) and females from 167 to 290 g (5.9 to 10.2 oz), averaging 261 g (9.2 oz). Alongside the similarly-sized Madagascar jacana, this appears to be the heaviest jacana species. They have chestnut upperparts with black wingtips, rear neck, and eyestripe. The underparts are also chestnut in the adults, only in juveniles they are white with a chestnut belly patch. The blue bill extends up as a coot-like head shield, and the legs and long toes are grey.

African jacanas feed on insects and other invertebrates picked from the floating vegetations or the surface of the water.

African jacanas breed throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It is sedentary apart from seasonal dispersion. It lays four black-marked brown eggs in a floating nest.

The jacana has evolved a highly unusually polyandrous mating system, meaning that one female mates with multiple males and the male alone cares for the chicks. Such a system has evolved due to a combination of two factors: firstly, the lakes that the jacana lives on are so resource-rich that the relative energy expended by the female in producing each egg is effectively negligible. Secondly the jacana, as a bird, lays eggs, and eggs can be equally well incubated and cared for by a parent bird of either sex. This means that the rate-limiting factor of the jacana's breeding is the rate at which the males can raise and care for the chicks. Such a system of females forming harems of males is in direct contrast to the more usual system of leks seen in animals such as stags and grouse, where the males compete and display in order to gain harems of females.

The parent that forms part of the harem is almost always the one that ends up caring for the offspring; in this case, each male jacana incubates and rears a nest of chicks. The male African jacana has therefore evolved some remarkable adaptations for parental care, such as the ability to pick up and carry chicks underneath its wings.

18-4-2022 KARTONG, GAMBIA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

The African jacana (Actophilornis africanus) is a wader in the family Jacanidae. It has long toes and long claws that enables it to walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, its preferred habitat. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. For the origin and pronunciation of the name, see Jacanidae.

17-4-2022 MANDINA LODGE, GAMBIA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus),

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4585-Actophilornis-africanus

5-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4585-Actophilornis-africanus

2-6-2019 LINYANTI, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4585-Actophilornis-africanus

 

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

The African Jacana, Actophilornis africanus, is a distinctive wader known for its remarkable ability to traverse floating vegetation with its elongated toes and claws. This bird exhibits a striking chestnut plumage on its upperparts, complemented by black wingtips, rear neck, and an eyestripe. Adults boast a chestnut underpart, while juveniles display a white underpart with a chestnut belly patch. A blue bill, extending into a coot-like head shield, and grey legs and toes complete its unique appearance.

To identify the African Jacana, look for its long toes and claws, which are adapted for walking on lily pads and other floating vegetation. The adult's chestnut underparts contrast with the juveniles' white underparts and chestnut belly patch. The blue bill with a frontal shield and the bird's size, ranging from 23 to 31 cm in length, are also key identification features.

The African Jacana thrives in shallow lakes, where it can be seen gracefully walking on floating vegetation, a habitat it prefers and is uniquely adapted to inhabit.

This species enjoys a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, where it is commonly found in suitable wetland habitats.

The African Jacana is sedentary, with some seasonal dispersion. It exhibits a polyandrous mating system, where a dominant female mates with multiple males. The males are solely responsible for incubating the eggs and rearing the chicks, showcasing remarkable adaptations for parental care, such as the ability to carry chicks under their wings.

Breeding occurs throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The African Jacana lays four brown eggs marked with black, in a nest that floats amidst the vegetation. The male takes on the role of incubating the eggs and caring for the young, a testament to the species' unique breeding system.

The African Jacana might be confused with the Madagascar Jacana, which is similar in size. However, the latter is geographically isolated to Madagascar, reducing the likelihood of confusion within the African Jacana's range.

The diet consists primarily of insects and other invertebrates, which the African Jacana deftly picks from the water's surface or from the floating vegetation it frequents.

The IUCN Red List classifies the African Jacana as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population levels.

7-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) PHOTO COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_jacana

30-5-2019 RIVER ZAMBESI , ZAMBIA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4585-Actophilornis-africanus

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

The African Jacana, Actophilornis africanus, is a distinctive wader known for its remarkable ability to traverse floating vegetation with its elongated toes and claws. This bird exhibits a striking chestnut plumage on its upperparts, complemented by black wingtips, rear neck, and an eyestripe. Adults boast a chestnut underpart, while juveniles display a white underpart with a chestnut belly patch. A blue bill, extending into a coot-like head shield, and grey legs and toes complete its unique appearance.

To identify the African Jacana, look for its long toes and claws, which are adapted for walking on lily pads and other floating vegetation. The adult's chestnut underparts contrast with the juveniles' white underparts and chestnut belly patch. The blue bill with a frontal shield and the bird's size, ranging from 23 to 31 cm in length, are also key identification features.

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

The African Jacana, Actophilornis africanus, is a distinctive wader known for its remarkable ability to traverse floating vegetation with its elongated toes and claws. This bird exhibits a striking chestnut plumage on its upperparts, complemented by black wingtips, rear neck, and an eyestripe. Adults boast a chestnut underpart, while juveniles display a white underpart with a chestnut belly patch. A blue bill, extending into a coot-like head shield, and grey legs and toes complete its unique appearance.

To identify the African Jacana, look for its long toes and claws, which are adapted for walking on lily pads and other floating vegetation. The adult's chestnut underparts contrast with the juveniles' white underparts and chestnut belly patch. The blue bill with a frontal shield and the bird's size, ranging from 23 to 31 cm in length, are also key identification features.

The African Jacana thrives in shallow lakes, where it can be seen gracefully walking on floating vegetation, a habitat it prefers and is uniquely adapted to inhabit.

This species enjoys a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, where it is commonly found in suitable wetland habitats.

The African Jacana is sedentary, with some seasonal dispersion. It exhibits a polyandrous mating system, where a dominant female mates with multiple males. The males are solely responsible for incubating the eggs and rearing the chicks, showcasing remarkable adaptations for parental care, such as the ability to carry chicks under their wings.

Breeding occurs throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The African Jacana lays four brown eggs marked with black, in a nest that floats amidst the vegetation. The male takes on the role of incubating the eggs and caring for the young, a testament to the species' unique breeding system.

The African Jacana might be confused with the Madagascar Jacana, which is similar in size. However, the latter is geographically isolated to Madagascar, reducing the likelihood of confusion within the African Jacana's range.

The diet consists primarily of insects and other invertebrates, which the African Jacana deftly picks from the water's surface or from the floating vegetation it frequents.

The IUCN Red List classifies the African Jacana as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population levels.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

The African Jacana, Actophilornis africanus, is a distinctive wader known for its remarkable ability to traverse floating vegetation with its elongated toes and claws. This bird exhibits a striking chestnut plumage on its upperparts, complemented by black wingtips, rear neck, and an eyestripe. Adults boast a chestnut underpart, while juveniles display a white underpart with a chestnut belly patch. A blue bill, extending into a coot-like head shield, and grey legs and toes complete its unique appearance.

To identify the African Jacana, look for its long toes and claws, which are adapted for walking on lily pads and other floating vegetation. The adult's chestnut underparts contrast with the juveniles' white underparts and chestnut belly patch. The blue bill with a frontal shield and the bird's size, ranging from 23 to 31 cm in length, are also key identification features.

The African Jacana thrives in shallow lakes, where it can be seen gracefully walking on floating vegetation, a habitat it prefers and is uniquely adapted to inhabit.

This species enjoys a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, where it is commonly found in suitable wetland habitats.

The African Jacana is sedentary, with some seasonal dispersion. It exhibits a polyandrous mating system, where a dominant female mates with multiple males. The males are solely responsible for incubating the eggs and rearing the chicks, showcasing remarkable adaptations for parental care, such as the ability to carry chicks under their wings.

Breeding occurs throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The African Jacana lays four brown eggs marked with black, in a nest that floats amidst the vegetation. The male takes on the role of incubating the eggs and caring for the young, a testament to the species' unique breeding system.

The diet consists primarily of insects and other invertebrates, which the African Jacana deftly picks from the water's surface or from the floating vegetation it frequents.

The IUCN Red List classifies the African Jacana as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population levels.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

The African Jacana, Actophilornis africanus, is a distinctive wader known for its remarkable ability to traverse floating vegetation with its elongated toes and claws. This bird exhibits a striking chestnut plumage on its upperparts, complemented by black wingtips, rear neck, and an eyestripe. Adults boast a chestnut underpart, while juveniles display a white underpart with a chestnut belly patch. A blue bill, extending into a coot-like head shield, and grey legs and toes complete its unique appearance.

To identify the African Jacana, look for its long toes and claws, which are adapted for walking on lily pads and other floating vegetation. The adult's chestnut underparts contrast with the juveniles' white underparts and chestnut belly patch. The blue bill with a frontal shield and the bird's size, ranging from 23 to 31 cm in length, are also key identification features.

The African Jacana, Actophilornis africanus, is a distinctive wader known for its remarkable ability to traverse floating vegetation with its elongated toes and claws. This bird exhibits a striking chestnut plumage on its upperparts, complemented by black wingtips, rear neck, and an eyestripe. Adults boast a chestnut underpart, while juveniles display a white underpart with a chestnut belly patch. A blue bill, extending into a coot-like head shield, and grey legs and toes complete its unique appearance.

To identify the African Jacana, look for its long toes and claws, which are adapted for walking on lily pads and other floating vegetation. The adult's chestnut underparts contrast with the juveniles' white underparts and chestnut belly patch. The blue bill with a frontal shield and the bird's size, ranging from 23 to 31 cm in length, are also key identification features.

The African Jacana thrives in shallow lakes, where it can be seen gracefully walking on floating vegetation, a habitat it prefers and is uniquely adapted to inhabit.

This species enjoys a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, where it is commonly found in suitable wetland habitats.

The African Jacana is sedentary, with some seasonal dispersion. It exhibits a polyandrous mating system, where a dominant female mates with multiple males. The males are solely responsible for incubating the eggs and rearing the chicks, showcasing remarkable adaptations for parental care, such as the ability to carry chicks under their wings.

Breeding occurs throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The African Jacana lays four brown eggs marked with black, in a nest that floats amidst the vegetation. The male takes on the role of incubating the eggs and caring for the young, a testament to the species' unique breeding system.

The diet consists primarily of insects and other invertebrates, which the African Jacana deftly picks from the water's surface or from the floating vegetation it frequents.

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

The African Jacana, Actophilornis africanus, is a distinctive wader known for its remarkable ability to traverse floating vegetation with its elongated toes and claws. This bird exhibits a striking chestnut plumage on its upperparts, complemented by black wingtips, rear neck, and an eyestripe. Adults boast a chestnut underpart, while juveniles display a white underpart with a chestnut belly patch. A blue bill, extending into a coot-like head shield, and grey legs and toes complete its unique appearance.

To identify the African Jacana, look for its long toes and claws, which are adapted for walking on lily pads and other floating vegetation. The adult's chestnut underparts contrast with the juveniles' white underparts and chestnut belly patch. The blue bill with a frontal shield and the bird's size, ranging from 23 to 31 cm in length, are also key identification features.

The African Jacana thrives in shallow lakes, where it can be seen gracefully walking on floating vegetation, a habitat it prefers and is uniquely adapted to inhabit.

This species enjoys a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, where it is commonly found in suitable wetland habitats.

The African Jacana is sedentary, with some seasonal dispersion. It exhibits a polyandrous mating system, where a dominant female mates with multiple males. The males are solely responsible for incubating the eggs and rearing the chicks, showcasing remarkable adaptations for parental care, such as the ability to carry chicks under their wings.

Breeding occurs throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The African Jacana lays four brown eggs marked with black, in a nest that floats amidst the vegetation. The male takes on the role of incubating the eggs and caring for the young, a testament to the species' unique breeding system.

The African Jacana might be confused with the Madagascar Jacana, which is similar in size. However, the latter is geographically isolated to Madagascar, reducing the likelihood of confusion within the African Jacana's range.

The diet consists primarily of insects and other invertebrates, which the African Jacana deftly picks from the water's surface or from the floating vegetation it frequents.

The IUCN Red List classifies the African Jacana as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population levels.