The Colourful Jacana!
The African jacana (Actophilornis africanus) is a common species of jacana in sub-Saharan Africa. Jacanas are waders with conspicuous long toes and claws made for walking on floating vegetation in shallow water. The African jacana is easily recognized with its chestnut body, white and black head and a blue beak that extends over its eyes. It normally reaches a length of 30 cm (12 in) with females somewhat larger than males.
African jacana is found in various still to slow-moving fresh water habitats, such as lakes, marshes and large slow-moving rivers. It needs floating vegetation for breeding and often tall reeds and similar vegetation for shelter and hiding. It is often found at the edge of the water or walking on floating vegetation, such as water-lilies, where it primarily feeds on insects in addition to spiders, worms, crustaceans, molluscs and seeds.
The African Jacana is a good swimmer and diver. When foraging, it swims over open water from one vegetated area to another.
To avoid predators, it can swim underwater, and in the same situation, the chicks can stay underwater for a moment with only the bill tip above the surface, and they swim as well as the adults.
If threatened, the bird raises its wings in aggressive posture to the predator as a visual signal. It also utters raucous calls if the intruder flies across the territory.
Outside the breeding season, this species is gregarious and may form very large flocks.
This lovely Jacana was photographed early in the morning, foraging in the waters of Hyena Dam in Nairobi National Park, Kenya.
The Colourful Jacana!
The African jacana (Actophilornis africanus) is a common species of jacana in sub-Saharan Africa. Jacanas are waders with conspicuous long toes and claws made for walking on floating vegetation in shallow water. The African jacana is easily recognized with its chestnut body, white and black head and a blue beak that extends over its eyes. It normally reaches a length of 30 cm (12 in) with females somewhat larger than males.
African jacana is found in various still to slow-moving fresh water habitats, such as lakes, marshes and large slow-moving rivers. It needs floating vegetation for breeding and often tall reeds and similar vegetation for shelter and hiding. It is often found at the edge of the water or walking on floating vegetation, such as water-lilies, where it primarily feeds on insects in addition to spiders, worms, crustaceans, molluscs and seeds.
The African Jacana is a good swimmer and diver. When foraging, it swims over open water from one vegetated area to another.
To avoid predators, it can swim underwater, and in the same situation, the chicks can stay underwater for a moment with only the bill tip above the surface, and they swim as well as the adults.
If threatened, the bird raises its wings in aggressive posture to the predator as a visual signal. It also utters raucous calls if the intruder flies across the territory.
Outside the breeding season, this species is gregarious and may form very large flocks.
This lovely Jacana was photographed early in the morning, foraging in the waters of Hyena Dam in Nairobi National Park, Kenya.