Wattled Jacana
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0

Jacanas

Wattled Jacana

Jacana jacana

LCLeast Concern
Family
Jacanas (Jacanidae)
Order
Charadriiformes

Overview

The wattled jacana (Jacana jacana) is a wader in the family Jacanidae found throughout much of South America east of the Andes, as well as western Panama and Trinidad. It is the only species in the Jacanidae family with such a large distribution. Wattled jacanas have long toes and claws which help them walk through aquatic vegetation. Like the majority of species of jacanas, the female is larger than the male, and forms harems of up to 4 or 5 males at any given time.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Range and habitat

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.