Comb-crested Jacana

They occupy coastal and subcoastal regions from the Kimberleys, WA, through northern Australia to about Grafton, NSW. They are more common in the north of their range.

Comb-crested Jacanas will move to new locations, particularly in response to changes in their current habitat, such as droughts or excessive flooding. The species also occurs in New Guinea, Indonesia and the Phillipines.

Comb-crested Jacanas are found in tropical and subtropical freshwater wetlands, including lagoons, billabongs, swamps, lakes, rivers, sewage ponds and dams, providing there is adequate floating vegetation.

The Comb-crested Jacana feeds on aquatic insects, which it seizes from floating vegetation or the surface of the water. It also feeds on seeds and aquatic plants. Birds almost never come to shore. When searching for food, the Comb-crested Jacana bobs its head and flicks its tailed continuously.

Comb-crested Jacanas breed from September to May (later in the north than in the east). The female Jacana may mate with several males, while the male alone builds the nest, incubates the eggs and cares for the young. If danger threatens the young birds, the male has the curious habit of picking the chicks up under his wings and carrying them off to safety.

At a distance, the Comb-crested Jacana appears to have the ability to walk on water. In fact, it is walking on floating plants. It is able to do this due to its extremely long toes, which help spread its body weight over a larger area. This ability has given the species the alternative names of “Christbird” and “Lilytrotter”. In flight, the long legs and toes trail behind the body.