Comb-crested jacana

Comb-crested jacana
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Jacanidae
Genus:	Irediparra Mathews, 1911
Species:	I. gallinacea
Binomial name
Irediparra gallinacea (Temminck, 1828)

The comb-crested jacana (Irediparra gallinacea), also known as the lotusbird or lilytrotter (though these names are sometimes used to describe Jacanidae as a whole), is the only species of jacana in the genus Irediparra. Like other jacana species, it is adapted to the floating vegetation of tropical freshwater wetlands.

Description

This species is unmistakable. It has a black crown and hindneck with a fleshy red wattle covering the forehead and forecrown, contrasting with a white face and throat. The comb is pinker in breeding adults, more orange when not breeding.^[2] There is a broad black band on the lower breast with white belly. The underwing and flight feathers, which show most prominently in flight, are black. Back and upperwing mainly grey-brown with black primary coverts, rump and tail. The long legs with extremely long toes trail in flight. The male is slightly smaller than the female and measures 20–22 cm (7.9–8.7 in) in length and weighs 68–84 g (2.4–3.0 oz). The female measures 24–27 cm (9.4–10.6 in) in length and weighs 120–150 g (4.2–5.3 oz).^[3] The wingspan ranges from 39 to 46 cm (15 to 18 in).

• 
  Chick
• 
  Juvenile
• 
  Adult

Distribution and habitat

The bird occurs in south-eastern

It eats seeds and aquatic insects gleaned from floating vegetation on the water surface.

Voice

This species gives a squeaky, high-pitched chittering, also described as a shrill trill with an explosive soft bugle.^[2]

References

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