Lesser Jacana

Quick Take

• The lesser jacana breaks a rule that every other jacana follows, and the reason behind its lone exception comes down to an unexpected biological quirk. Its unique genus →
• This bird has a deeply unusual way of incubating its eggs, and the method has nothing to do with sitting on them. See the incubation method →
• When predators close in, the lesser jacana does not simply flee. Instead, it deploys two surprisingly different strategies to protect itself and its young. Explore its defense strategies →
• Despite never truly migrating, this bird rarely stays in one place, and the reason reveals something telling about the wetlands it calls home. Its nomadic movements →

The lesser jacana is a small wader from Sub-Saharan Africa, where it inhabits freshwater wetlands with abundant vegetation. This species differs from other jacanas in its more traditional monogamous mating system. However, they spend their days like other family members, walking across floating lily pads and foraging for food.

5 Amazing Lesser Jacana Facts

• The lesser jacana is nomadic, often moving in search of temporary wetland habitats.
• They incubate their eggs by holding them against their breast with the undersides of their wings.
• The lesser jacana is the only jacana known to be monogamous. Males and females both assist in incubation and caring for the young.
• They turn leaves over with their long toes, searching for insects.
• They use their sharp wing spurs to defend themselves from predators.

Where to Find the Lesser Jacana

The lesser jacana lives in Africa in 28 countries, including Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Eswatini, Kenya, and Nigeria. You will find this bird in Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in patches, not continuously. It is most widespread in a band from Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Angola southward to South Africa. This species inhabits the shallow waters of freshwater wetlands, with abundant vegetation like sedges, water lilies, and emergent grasses. They may also live in the backwaters of lakes and dams. 

Nests

Jacanas place their eggs directly on lily pads, or they build a loose nest on floating vegetation. This species incubates its eggs by holding them against its breast with the undersides of its wings.

Classification and Scientific Name

The lesser jacana (Microparra capensis) belongs to the Charadriiformes order, a diverse group of birds living near water and eating invertebrates. Their Jacanidae family encompasses all jacanas, and they are the only species in their genus, Microparra. 

Size, Appearance, & Behavior

The lesser jacana is a very small species, but Its measurements and weight are not documented. Their face, neck, and underside are white, with a grayish-brown back and wings. They have chestnut coloring on their crown, breast sides, rump, and tail. A black stripe runs across its eyes, from its beak to its crown. Like other jacanas, this species has long legs, enormous feet, and elongated toes.

Little is known about this species’ behavior, so researchers assume it behaves similarly to other jacanas. They most likely spend their days foraging on the water by walking on lily pads and other vegetation. They are weak fliers who prefer to stay on the water; they are excellent swimmers and divers. Jacanas are relatively vocal, often giving alarm calls, and are most likely social. However, this species is not polyandrous like the others, so it may tend to be more solitary, forming pair bonds instead. They are highly nomadic, often moving in search of temporary wetlands.

Migration Pattern and Timing

Jacanas do not migrate. However, they may move slightly outside their usual range if their wetland habitats dry out.

Diet

The lesser jacana is a carnivore that primarily eats insects.

What Does the Lesser Jacana Eat?

Jacanas eat insects, snails, spiders, larvae, worms, mollusks, fish, and crabs. They may also supplement their diet with seeds. This species forages by walking across floating vegetation and turning leaves over with its long bills or toes. They will eat whatever is caught in the water lily’s roots. 

Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

The IUCN lists the lesser jacana as LC or “least concern.” Due to its extensive range and moderately-sized population, this species does not meet the thresholds for “threatened” status. While they don’t seem to suffer from any significant threats, they are still affected by habitat loss in their wetland homes.

What Eats the Lesser Jacana?

Like other jacanas, the lesser jacana falls victim to birds of prey, otters, crocodiles, large fish, turtles, and water snakes. They use their sharp wing spurs to defend themselves, or will dive underwater to evade predators. These birds are known for picking their young up and carrying them under their wings to safety.

Reproduction, Young, and Molting

Jacanas are polyandrous and display sex-role reversal. Females are focused on mating and laying egg clutches for multiple mates. The males are the sole caregivers for their young. However, the lesser jacana is the only jacana known for being monogamous. The extent of this monogamy, however, is not yet known. Researchers believe the lesser jacana’s small egg size necessitates a higher level of parental care, which may account for its more monogamous sociosexual role. Females lay three to four eggs, and both parents incubate for around 19 days. The young fledge the nest after about 10 to 32 days, but don’t become independent until they are at least 60 days old. 

Population

The global lesser jacana population is 16,700-66,700 mature individuals, though the population experiences extreme fluctuations or fragmentation. However, their population trends are challenging to determine due to the uncertainty of the impacts of habitat modification.