A photo of a Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa)
Northern Jacana

Northern Jacana

Jacana spinosa

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. 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. Young jacana chicks are covered in down and have patterns of orange, browns, black and some white on them. Older chicks are gray and have brownish upper parts.
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community of curious everyday people connecting with the natural world
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community

Northern Jacanas on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A photo of a Northern Jacana photographed in Macaw Lodge Costa Rica
🦢
Steve Durston
Sunday 12 Mar 2023 - 1:41am
Costa Rica
A map showing the sighting location
🐥
Charlotte N
Thursday 09 Mar 2023 - 9:00pm
Costa Rica
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Jorge Estrella
Wednesday 08 Mar 2023 - 8:03am
Belize
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Raymond Tweed
Sunday 05 Mar 2023 - 2:59pm
Costa Rica
Connect with nature,
Find your flock
Copyright © 2023 Chirp Birding Ltd. All rights reserved.