A Bit Of An Oddball, A Bird With Exceptionally Large Feet, And A Comb That Matches Its Mood!

Unusual shorebird that strolls atop lily pads, sporting exceptionally large feet.

Meet the Comb-crested Jacana:

Description: The Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) exhibits brown upperparts, encompassing the lower mantle, back, and upperwing-coverts. The hindneck, upper mantle, flight-feathers, and breast are black, contrasting with a white belly and undertail-coverts. The underwing is notably dark, including the axillaries. On the head, the forehead and crown showcase a black hue with a purplish-blue gloss. A slender black line extends from the lower mandible’s base to the eye. The rest of the face, supercilium, neck, and upper breast feature a glossy, pale golden-yellow tone, while the chin and throat are white. The bill, reddish-pink with a well-defined black tip, and pale brownish-white to yellowish eyes add to its distinctive appearance. Legs and feet are of a dull greyish-green shade, accompanied by exceptionally long toes and claws. The bird sports a short, blunt knob on the carpal joint, resembling a heavily cornified leading edge along the distal part of the radius but lacking a spur.

The Comb-crested Jacana presents a highly developed, flattened, fleshy shield with a prominent central comb. The color of this structure ranges from yellow to pale orange during periods of calmness and inactivity.

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However, it transforms into a vivid pinkish-red during social interactions or specific situations, akin to a red rose petal gracefully positioned atop its head.

The female shares similar plumage but is notably larger and heavier. The juvenile exhibits a browner upperparts and white underparts, including the breast. The underwing is black, and the crown is chestnut, with rudimentary frontal wattles and comb.

Distribution: Its presence spans the coastal regions of North and East Australia, extending beyond Australia to Borneo, the Philippines, Sulawesi, the Moluccas, Lesser Sundas Islands, Aru Islands, New Guinea, and New Britain.

Habitat: The Comb-crested Jacana frequents permanent freshwater wetlands characterized by extensive floating vegetation, primarily water lilies, and/or fringing and aquatic plants. During non-breeding periods, it may venture to short-grass uplands, even away from water.

Calls: The Comb-crested Jacana, while not excessively vocal, often emits two distinct types of sounds. The first, a repeated series of notes, typically occurs during interactions with other jacanas. The second comprises twittering, chittering, and piping notes, usually produced in flight or when the bird adopts an upright stance, indicating a potential threat. The alarm call manifests as a sharp, nasal note.

It is frequently observed delicately treading on floating and emergent vegetation in freshwater wetlands.

Behaviour: Feeding primarily on insects, various invertebrates, and seeds of aquatic plants and other vegetation, the Comb-crested Jacana demonstrates a varied diet, including insect species, mollusks, crustaceans, and seeds of aquatic plants like water lilies. The bird is often observed walking with a characteristic bobbing and flicking gait on floating vegetation, spreading its weight across the long toes.

Nesting: The Comb-crested Jacana exhibits year-round breeding when permanent floating vegetation is available. In Australia, breeding typically occurs during the wet season. Nest construction, primarily conducted by the male, involves creating a flimsy platform or shallow cup using plant materials on floating aquatic vegetation. The female contributes by tossing vegetation, and occasionally, eggs are laid directly onto a large leaf without a built nest.

The female lays 3-4 yellowish to brownish glossy eggs marked with blackish lines. If the clutch is lost, the female produces a replacement clutch. The male incubates alone for 28 days and broods the chicks. Downy chicks, striped dark above and white below, are precocial, capable of diving to escape danger. In threatening situations, the male may carry chicks beneath its wings to safety. The young fledge 50-60 days after hatching.

The Comb-crested Jacana faces challenges due to wetland degradation and habitat alterations. While not globally threatened, it is classified as Vulnerable in certain regions and flourishes in abundance in other areas.

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