Jacana de cola faisán

1. Nombre del ave
The bird in focus is the Pheasant-tailed Jacana, scientifically known as Hydrophasianus chirurgus.

2. Aspecto
The Pheasant-tailed Jacana is truly remarkable and distinctive in terms of its looks. Both males and females share a similar appearance. Sporting a clear white body, with a brown head, neck, and under-parts of the wings, this bird has a touch of class and sophistication. The beak is a light blue tipped with black, and the eyes are a striking shade of white or pale yellow. One striking visual attribute is their elongated tail feathers that resemble those of a pheasant, further accentuated in males during the breeding season. These elaborate tail feathers together with the golden wing coverts, create a conspicuous display while in flight.

3. Tamaño
The Pheasant-tailed Jacana averages 31 centimeters, or about 12 inches in length with the tail adding up to an additional 7.5 inches during the breeding season. Its weight ranges between 113 and 235 grams. This bird owns a wingspan of approximately 50–60 centimeters.

4. Hábitat y distribución
Pheasant-tailed Jacanas are predominantly found in Asia, widely spreading across India, Pakistan, China, and Southeast Asia. They inhabit freshwater wetlands, such as marshes, ponds, and lakes that contain dense floating vegetation.

5. Datos de interés
What’s unique about Pheasant-tailed Jacanas is their adaptation to walking on floating vegetation, owing to their long, slender toes. They are known as “Jesus birds” due to their ability to seemingly ‘walk on water’. Another fascinating fact revolves around their breeding habit, where unlike many bird species, male Jacanas are the primary caretakers, incubating the eggs and raising the chicks, while the females may mate with several male partners.

6. Dieta
Pheasant-tailed Jacanas have a diet largely consisting of invertebrates, particularly insects, and their larvae, which they get from the floating vegetation or water surface. They also occasionally consume seeds and other plant materials.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
These birds are territorial, but eliminate aggression and territorial disputes through a display of ritualized postures and dances. Their calls range from a melodious and repetitive ‘pee-pee-pee’, to a harsher ‘creee’ sound when alarmed.

8. Estado de conservación
As of now, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorized the Pheasant-tailed Jacana as being of “Least Concern” for extinction due to its extensive range and stable population.

9. Vida útil
Pheasant-tailed Jacanas are reported to live up to a maximum of 10 years in the wild. Data about lifespan in captivity are scarce.

10. Notas adicionales
In India, the bird is known by various local names such as ‘jalhinnya’ in Marathi and ‘jal khurinya’ in Oriya, reflecting its aquatic habitats. Pheasant-tailed Jacanas play a key role in controlling insect populations in their watery ecosystems. Negative interactions with humans are rare given their preference for wetland habitats, but drainage of wetlands for agriculture and other developments can pose significant threats to their population.