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The comb-crested jacana, also known as the lotusbird or lilytrotter, 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.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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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. 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. Voice: This species gives a squeaky, high-pitched chittering, also described as a shrill trill with an explosive soft bugle.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Comb-crested Jacana lives
When to see the Comb-crested Jacana
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Pheasant-tailed JacanaHydrophasianus chirurgusThe pheasant-tailed jacana is conspicuous and unmistakable.
Lesser JacanaMicroparra capensisThe smallest species in the Jacanidae family, the lesser jacana is 15–16 cm tall and weighs 41g.
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