OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Jacana (from Tupi name for bird) spinosa ("thorny")
Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025
Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 91-161g / Length: 21-24cm / Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
A common resident of Caribbean and Central American Wetlands, the Northern Jacana is an unusual bird in several respects - while most initially the most obvious feature may be its huge splayed feet which allow it to spread its weight to walk on floating water plants easily. However, it also has spurs on its wings which can be used for defense. There is also the unusualy behaviour where an adult jacana can carry its clutch of chicks under its wings to escape safety, however the plethora of dangling ffet from a single bird does lend to an element of eldritch horror.
Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Jacanidae
Genus: Jacana
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic
- Sighting Locations -
COSTA RICA - Spanish - Jacana Centroamericana
Widespread and common in wetlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and San Jose
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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