Photo: Geoff Gallice from Gainesville / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South America.
Found across 7 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana) is a member of the Jacanidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 106 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 Jacana
- Species jacana
Quick facts
- Weight
- 106 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Jacanidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Wattled Jacana is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Wattled Jacana is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana) is a species of bird in the Jacanidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA wc Panama to n Argentina.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 106 g, with a wing length of about 12.9 cm and a tail of around 4.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 13.9 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Wattled Jacana?
The Wattled Jacana is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 106 g.
Where does the Wattled Jacana live?
The Wattled Jacana is found across South America with a range covering SA wc Panama to n Argentina, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Wattled Jacana belong to?
The Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana) belongs to the Jacanidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Wattled Jacana eat?
The Wattled Jacana is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Wattled Jacana migrate?
The Wattled Jacana is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Wattled 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 Wattled Jacana make?
1 real field recording of the Wattled 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 Wattled Jacana's range?
The Wattled Jacana has a mapped global range of about 13.9 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.
Explore more birds
More in Jacanidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Shorebirds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated