New Design Series: South African Birds

The African Jacana is just one of approximately 800 species of bird in South Africa. It inhabits lagoons, pans, dams, ponds and vleis. Their habit of walking or running over floating or emergent vegetation in the water resulted in their common name, lily trotter. This bird is characterized by it large feet, long toes and beautiful chestnut plumage. When it is disturbed it flies low over the water surface, wings beating rapidly and irregularly. During the breeding season it builds a small pad of plant stems on floating vegetation such as water lilies. The Jacana spend their time eating insects, snails, crabs and seeds. These birds dive and swim well.