Lesser Jacana

The lesser jacana, a diminutive member of the Jacanidae family, stands at a mere 15-16 cm in height and tips the scales at around 41 grams. This species boasts a striking plumage with a white underbelly, a golden forehead, a cinnamon-hued crown, and a pronounced dark eyestripe. Its mantle and wings are cloaked in darker shades, setting it apart from its kin. The long legs and claws of the lesser jacana are marvelously adapted for a life spent treading upon the floating vegetation of its aquatic realm, earning it the enchanting nicknames of 'lily trotter' or 'Jesus bird'.

Identification Tips

In the field, the lesser jacana is more readily identified in flight, where its elongated legs trail behind and its wings reveal a distinctive white trailing edge. While it exhibits minimal sexual dimorphism, the female is generally 4% larger than the male, and males may present with darker backs compared to their female counterparts.

Habitat

The lesser jacana frequents the shorelines of both permanent and seasonally flooded wetlands across Africa, favoring areas with a sparse yet abundant mix of sedge and grass over water lilies. These birds adeptly use aquatic vegetation for concealment, often rendering them inconspicuous to the casual observer.

Distribution

This species has a broad African distribution, spanning Angola to Zimbabwe, including Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

Behaviour

The lesser jacana is a nimble forager, adept at gleaning insects from emergent vegetation as it deftly maneuvers across lily pads and grass stems. It employs a variety of techniques, from pecking at insects on plants to swimming at the water's surface in pursuit of its prey.

Song & Calls

The lesser jacana is known for its repertoire of five distinct vocalizations, including a distress call of "hwi hwi hwi" when its offspring are threatened, a melodic "woot" common to both sexes, a peeving "see sree shrrr," a soft "tchr tchr tchr," and a repeated "ti" or "hli" sound. These calls are often echoed or synchronized between mates, particularly in the lead-up to copulation.

Breeding

In a departure from the polyandrous tendencies of its relatives, the lesser jacana practices biparental care, with both parents sharing the responsibilities of nest-building and incubation. The species is observed to be monogamous, with copulation lasting a brief 7 seconds, reflecting reduced sperm competition. Their floating nests house two or three tan-colored eggs with black markings, which are incubated for 19-21 days. Upon hatching, the chicks are brooded under the wings of their parents, who will transport them to safety if danger looms.

Similar Species

The lesser jacana's eggs are reminiscent of those laid by the African jacana but are notably smaller. Juvenile African jacanas bear a resemblance to adult lesser jacanas, and the two species may be confused where their ranges overlap in Southern Africa.

Diet and Feeding

The lesser jacana's diet consists primarily of insects, which it forages from the surrounding aquatic vegetation. It has been observed employing various methods to secure its meals, including lifting submerged stems with its bill and swimming to catch insects at the water's surface.

Conservation status

The lesser jacana is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that, for now, this species does not face an immediate threat of extinction.