The African jacana is an unusual bird and at first glance looks quite out of proportion. However, as you will see in this fascinating Instagram post, there are very good reasons for their unusual body shape. These extraordinary birds are found across sub-Saharan Africa, where their habitats are on freshwater. Take a look, then read on to discover more about this unique bird, including how seriously the dads take their childcare duties when danger lurks in the murky water.
Balancing on Floating Lilies
Enormous feet with elongated toes allow jacanas to walk on floating vegetation.
©Kelly Ermis/Shutterstock.com
African jacanas (Actophilornis Africanus) are carnivores. They feed on small creatures that live in and near freshwater. This includes insects, spiders, larvae, crustaceans, and mollusks. The birds pick them off floating vegetation such as lilies, which presents them with a problem. Walking across lilies is not easy because they can quickly sink. Additionally, there is competition from flying birds, so the African jacana has evolved to do things a little differently. Although they are good swimmers, walking is the most efficient way for them to travel across the vegetation. Their enormous feet, with very long, straight claws, spread their weight across a large surface area and prevent them from sinking. What’s more, their bodies are very light—they typically weigh between 4 and 10 ounces, with females being larger than males. To reduce weight, their wings are tiny, which means they are poor flyers as a trade-off.
Dads on the Lookout for Danger
Standing on a floating lily without the ability to fly away is a vulnerable position for an adult African jacana, and even more so for a chick. To make matters worse, those giant feet are great for balancing but not for running fast! They are hunted by birds of prey, large fish, and turtles. They are also targeted by Nile monitors and snakes. The jacana has a polyandrous mating system, in which the female mates with multiple males, and the males are responsible for incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks. So, when danger arrives, it is his responsibility to protect them. To protect themselves, the chicks climb under their father’s wings and remain hidden until the danger has passed. This strategy is effective, but the chicks’ feet are too large to fit completely under his wings and often dangle out, making the father appear to have many legs!
The post This Bird Hides Its Chicks in the Most Fascinating Way appeared first on A-Z Animals.
