African jacana

Introduction: African jacanas (Actophilornis africanus) inhabit freshwater wetlands of slow-flowing rivers with low, growing vegetation. Water-lilies are of a particular attraction to jacanas as are other pondweeds. Dams, pans and sewage works also attract this species. Actophilornis indicates 'a seashore or beach-loving bird'.

Distribution: Along the Orange River, Etosha National Park, Rundu, Chobe River, Caprivi, Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Swakopmund. There are also scattered populations in central and northern Namibia.

Diet: Forages in the day whilst walking on floating plants, pecking at the surface for insects, beetles, flies, bees, spiders, small fish, crustaceans and dragonflies. Another dietary feature is their ability to peck the flesh from open wounds of the hippopotamus.

Description: These medium-sized jacanas have a mainly chestnut coloured plumage, complimented with white, black and golden yellow on the head, breast and neck with a blue frontal shield.

Breeding: A rather loosely made nest constructed of aquatic plant stems is built on floating vegetation where females lay 4 eggs incubated for around 25 days, vigorously defended against other water-birds sometimes causing the eggs to roll off into the water. They are later retrieved and returned to the nest by the male.

Size: 30cm.

Weight: 140g.