English           -            Wattled Jacana

Portuguese    -            Jaçanã

Latin                -            Jacana jacana

I think “patience” is the word when photographing this bird. As soon as the Wattled Jacana senses your presence, they flee but if you’re sneaky and quiet enough, you can get reasonably close. The photos of the Wattled Jacana were taken at Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu. (REGUA) They were taken on different days and were taken on bright sunny days. They were taken as I was walking around the wetlands at the reserve which in my view is a bit of a magnet for bird life. First 2 photos are of Adults. The 3rd photo is of a Juvenile. 

* The Wattled Jacana is a widespread species in South America.

* It inhabits freshwater wetlands with floating and emergent vegetation. 

They are a bird of around 23 cm in length.

* It is a noisy bird. It utters squeaky, sharp and cackling notes, and also series of twittering sounds “kee-kick, kee-kick”. 

* The female Wattled Jacana is larger and heavier than the male.

* The Wattled Jacana feeds mainly on insects and various invertebrates.

* Female lays 4 eggs but the male alone will incubate the eggs.

* The Wattled Jacana is classified as a species “of least concern”. However, it is threatened by habitat loss, drainage of wetlands and human disturbances. However, the development of pastures and grazing lands and their small associated reservoirs has helped increased the habitat in most parts of South America.