Comb-crested Jacana
Irediparra gallinacea
Odd shorebird that walks around on lily pads with outrageously large feet. Adult has coral-red comb on forehead. Occur in heavily vegetated freshwater wetlands and lakes across northern Australia and down the east coast.
Identification
This species is unmistakable. It has a black crown and hindneck with a fleshy red wattle covering the forehead and forecrown, contrasting with a white face and throat. The comb is pinker in breeding adults, more orange when not breeding. There is a broad black band on the lower breast with white belly. The underwing and flight feathers, which show most prominently in flight, are black. Back and upperwing mainly grey-brown with black primary coverts, rump and tail. The long legs with extremely long toes trail in flight. The male is slightly smaller than the female and measures 20–22 cm (7.9–8.7 in) in length and weighs 68–84 g (2.4–3.0 oz). The female measures 24–27 cm (9.4–10.6 in) in length and weighs 120–150 g (4.2–5.3 oz). The wingspan ranges from 39 to 46 cm (15 to 18 in).
Taxonomy
Genus: Irediparra; Family: Jacanidae; Order: Charadriiformes.
- Scientific name
- Irediparra gallinacea
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1828)
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Jacanidae
- Genus
- Irediparra
Range and habitat
The bird occurs in south-eastern Borneo, the southern Philippines, Sulawesi, Moluccas, Lesser Sunda Islands, north and south-east New Guinea, New Britain (Lake Lalili), and northern and eastern Australia. Its habitat are large freshwater wetlands, swamps and lakes with abundant floating vegetation, such as water-lilies or water hyacinth, forming a mat on the water surface which it is able to walk on. Although the species is rare and localised it is not globally threatened.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
LeConte's Sparrow
Ammospiza leconteii
This strikingly beautiful sparrow is found in wet meadows with tall grass. Look for the bright orange-buff face with a silvery cheek, spotted purplish-gray nape, and crisp black streaking on buffy underparts. Secretive; difficult to see well unless a male is perched up singing. Most similar to Nelson's Sparrow but typically found in slightly drier habitats; also note white stripe down center of crown on LeConte's. Sings a dry, hissing trill with sharp introductory notes.
Black-backed Woodpecker
Picoides arcticus
Dark woodpecker, inconspicuous and uncommon. Found in coniferous forests, often in recently burned areas or bogs with many dead trees. Distinctive habit of flaking bark off trees in search of grubs; behavior shared only with American Three-toed Woodpecker. Back entirely glossy black with faint white markings only on flight feathers. Head mostly black with white mustache stripe and throat. Barred flanks. Males show yellow cap; sexes otherwise alike. "Pick" call is short and has unique clicking tone unlike other woodpeckers. Drum is slow, speeding up at end. Does not visit bird feeders.
Yucatan Nightjar
Antrostomus badius
Fairly large dark nightjar of woodland, edge, and adjacent clearings in the Yucatan Peninsula. Hunts mainly from perches at forest edge, sometimes even on fence posts in rather open areas. Cryptic plumage similar to other nightjars, but face and throat not as plain as Yucatan Poorwill, and male has extensive flashy white in his tail; female has narrower, buffy-white tail corners. Multi-syllable song very different from Yucatan Poorwill and Pauraque, and suggests Chuck-Will’s-Widow of southeastern US.
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