26-3-2017 CATIE CENTER, COSTA RICA - NORTHERN JACANA (Jacana spinosa)

The Northern Jacana, Jacana spinosa, is a striking wader with a dark brown body, a black head and neck, and distinctive yellow patches on its bill. A yellow wattle adorns its forehead, and its bill is white at the base. When in flight, the bird reveals yellowish-green primary and secondary feathers, along with yellow bony spurs on the wing edges, used for defense. The greenish hue of the wing feathers is due to a rare avian pigment called zooprasinin. Adult females are notably larger than males, with the former averaging 145.4 grams and the latter 86.9 grams. The species measures approximately 241 mm in length and boasts a wingspan of around 508 mm. Juvenile jacanas are adorned with a white supercilium and lores, and their downy plumage displays a mosaic of orange, browns, black, and white. As they mature, their plumage transitions to gray with brownish upper parts.

To identify the Northern Jacana, look for its large feet and claws, which are well-adapted for traversing floating vegetation. The bird's greenish wing feathers and yellow wattle are also key characteristics. Juveniles can be recognized by their white facial markings and variegated down.

This species thrives on floating vegetation found in swamps, marshes, and ponds, predominantly in coastal regions.

The Northern Jacana's range extends from coastal Mexico to western Panama, including parts of the Caribbean such as Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. It is occasionally found breeding in Texas, USA, and has been recorded as a vagrant in Arizona.

The Northern Jacana is polyandrous, with females overseeing territories that include the domains of one to four males. These birds maintain year-round pair bonds, and relationships persist until one partner is replaced. The species is capable of breeding continuously, provided water levels remain stable.

The vocal repertoire of the Northern Jacana includes "clustered-note calls" used during territorial defense and when eggs or chicks are threatened. The urgency of the situation influences the pattern and notes of the calls. Vocalizations also occur during flight, when a female is absent from the territory for extended periods, or when a male is searching for a missing chick.

Males construct floating nests from plant matter, and females lay clutches of four brown eggs with black markings. The male incubates the eggs for 28 days, and chicks are able to swim, dive, and feed shortly after hatching. The male broods the chicks for several weeks, with the female occasionally assisting. Females provide new clutches when the chicks reach 12-16 weeks of age.

The Northern Jacana's diet includes insects, ovules of water lilies, snails, worms, small crabs, fish, mollusks, and seeds. It competes with other birds, such as the sora, that share a similar diet.

The Northern Jacana is currently classified as Least Concern, but it could become vulnerable due to the potential loss of wetland habitats.

26-3-2017 CATIE CENTER, COSTA RICA - NORTHERN JACANA (Jacana spinosa) COURTESY MRS VALERIE FISHER

The northern jacana or northern jaçana (Jacana spinosa ) is a wader which is known as a resident breeder from coastal Mexico to western Panama, and on Cuba, Jamaica and Hispaniola in the Caribbean. It sometimes known to breed in Texas, United States, and has also been recorded on several occasions as a vagrant in Arizona. The jacanas are a group of wetland birds, which are identifiable by their huge feet and claws, which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. In Jamaica, this bird is also known as the 'Jesus bird', as it appears to walk on water. Jacana is Linnæus' scientific Latin spelling of the Brazilian Portuguese jaçanã, pronounced, from the Tupi name of the bird. See jacana for pronunciations.

The northern jacana has a dark brown body with a black head and neck. In addition its bill has yellow patches and its forehead has a yellow wattle. Its bill has a white base. When a jacana is in flight, its yellowish-green primary and secondary feathers are visible. Also visible are yellow bony spurs on the leading edge of the wings, which it can use to defend itself and its young. The greenish colour of the wing feathers is produced by a pigment, rather rare in birds, called zooprasinin, a copper containing organic compound.