Lesser Jacana

About the Lesser Jacana

The lesser jacana (Microparra capensis) is a wader in the family Jacanidae and can be found in Africa. It can be recognized by its long legs and claws that allow it to walk on aquatic vegetation – although it is not to be confused with the larger African Jacana. The lesser jacana is insectivorous. Its conservation status is of least concern.

The name jacana is derived from a Tupi name of the bird, ñaha'nã. The smallest species in the Jacanidae family, the lesser jacana is 15–16 cm (5.9–6.3 in) tall and weighs 41 g (1.4 oz). It has a white breast, golden forehead, cinnamon crown, and dark eyestripe. Its mantle and wings are also darker. As other jacanas, they have long legs and claws which are adapted for walking on lily-pads and aquatic grasses – which is why jacanas are sometimes referred to as lily trotters or Jesus birds because they appear as though they are walking on the surface of the water.

Lesser jacana eggs resemble African jacana eggs but are smaller. African jacana juveniles closely resemble adult lesser jacanas, and the two may be confused as their range overlaps in Southern Africa. In the field, lesser jacanas are reportedly more easily identifiable when... Wikipedia →