Photo: Alan Manson / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Lesser Jacana
Microparra capensis
Lesser Jacana (Microparra capensis) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Lesser Jacana (Microparra capensis) is a member of the Jacanidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 41.3 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Jacanidae Jacanas
- Genus Microparra
- Species capensis
Where it lives
Mali to Ghana, east to Ethiopia and south to Namibia, Botswana and southeastern Africa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 41.3 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Jacanidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Lesser Jacana hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Lesser Jacana is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Lesser Jacana (Microparra capensis) is a member of the Jacanidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Mali to Ghana, e to Ethiopia and s to Namibia, Botswana and se Africa.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 41.3 g, with a wing length of about 8.6 cm and a tail of around 2.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 3.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Lesser Jacana?
The Lesser Jacana is a small bird that weighs around 41.3 g.
Where does the Lesser Jacana live?
The Lesser Jacana is found across Africa with a range covering AF Mali to Ghana, e to Ethiopia and s to Namibia, Botswana and se Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Lesser Jacana belong to?
The Lesser Jacana (Microparra capensis) belongs to the Jacanidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Lesser Jacana eat?
The Lesser Jacana hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Lesser Jacana migrate?
The Lesser Jacana is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Lesser Jacana endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Lesser Jacana make?
1 real field recording of the Lesser Jacana — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Lesser Jacana's range?
The Lesser Jacana has a mapped global range of about 3.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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