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;[[:Category:Actophilornis|Actophilornis]] africanus | ;[[:Category:Actophilornis|Actophilornis]] africanus | ||
| − | [[Image:African_Jacana.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by IvoZafirov<br> | + | [[Image:African_Jacana.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by IvoZafirov<br />Location: Lake Victoria, [[Uganda]]]] |
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Length 25-30 cm, mass 115-274 g, females are larger than males. | Length 25-30 cm, mass 115-274 g, females are larger than males. | ||
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'''Immature:''' Similar to adult [[Lesser Jacana]], but much bigger; above light brown (dark brown in adult Lesser Jacana), below white; breast washed golden (no gold in adult Lesser Jacana); flanks brown; frontal shield small (not visible in field); crown and hind neck blackish brown (crown rufous in adult Lesser Jacana); black line through eye; buff eyebrow (eyebrow of adult Lesser Jacana white, forehead buff). | '''Immature:''' Similar to adult [[Lesser Jacana]], but much bigger; above light brown (dark brown in adult Lesser Jacana), below white; breast washed golden (no gold in adult Lesser Jacana); flanks brown; frontal shield small (not visible in field); crown and hind neck blackish brown (crown rufous in adult Lesser Jacana); black line through eye; buff eyebrow (eyebrow of adult Lesser Jacana white, forehead buff). | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Sub-Saharan Africa. | + | Sub-Saharan [[Africa]]. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | A monotypic species. | |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | + | Lakes, ponds and marshes; wetlands with floating vegetation. | |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | The Jacanas are a group of waders in the order [[:Category:Charadriiformes|Charadriiformes]]. Their huge feet and claws enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. | + | The Jacanas are a group of waders in the order [[:Category:Charadriiformes|Charadriiformes]]. Their huge feet and claws enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. |
'''Breeding:''' The African Jacana breeds throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It is sedentary apart from seasonal dispersion. It lays four black-marked brown eggs in a floating nest. The males, as in some other wader families like the phalaropes, take responsibility for incubation. | '''Breeding:''' The African Jacana breeds throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It is sedentary apart from seasonal dispersion. It lays four black-marked brown eggs in a floating nest. The males, as in some other wader families like the phalaropes, take responsibility for incubation. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Actophilornis+africanus}} | {{GSearch|Actophilornis+africanus}} | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]] | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Actophilornis]] |
Revision as of 10:49, 18 July 2008
- Actophilornis africanus
Identification
Length 25-30 cm, mass 115-274 g, females are larger than males.
Adult: These are conspicuous and unmistakable birds. They have chestnut upperparts with black wingtips, rear neck and eyestripe. The underparts are white, with a chestnut belly patch in adult birds. The blue bill extends up as a coot-like head shield, and the legs and very long toes are grey. The eyes are dark brown.
Immature: Similar to adult Lesser Jacana, but much bigger; above light brown (dark brown in adult Lesser Jacana), below white; breast washed golden (no gold in adult Lesser Jacana); flanks brown; frontal shield small (not visible in field); crown and hind neck blackish brown (crown rufous in adult Lesser Jacana); black line through eye; buff eyebrow (eyebrow of adult Lesser Jacana white, forehead buff).
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa.
Taxonomy
A monotypic species.
Habitat
Lakes, ponds and marshes; wetlands with floating vegetation.
Behaviour
The Jacanas are a group of waders in the order Charadriiformes. Their huge feet and claws enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.
Breeding: The African Jacana breeds throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It is sedentary apart from seasonal dispersion. It lays four black-marked brown eggs in a floating nest. The males, as in some other wader families like the phalaropes, take responsibility for incubation.
