Newsletter / Blog
2012-08-26 What bird has the longest toes relative to body length?
The Jacanas
or lily trotters are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae.
They are found worldwide within the tropical zone. There are eight species of Jacana. The Northern Jacana has toes
and claws measured at 10cm or 4 inches.
Description
Jacanas are
identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating
vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. They have
sharp bills and rounded wings, and many species also have wattles on their
foreheads.
Food
Their diet
consists of insects and other invertebrates picked from the floating vegetation
or the water’s surface.
Breeding
The females are
larger than the males and the males take responsibility for incubation, and
some species are polyandrous.
Birdwatching
Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures
to create a tour for you or book on one of the following Aves Birding Tour/Safaris/Adventures scheduled tours to see the African Jacana: -
Aves Eastern Cape Birding
Tour / Safari /Adventure.
Aves Highlands / Tembe Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North East
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North West Birding Tour
/ Safari / Adventure. |