PHEASANT TAILED JACANA

BURUNG TERATAI EKOR PANJANG

Pheasant-tailed Jacana(Hydrophasianus chirurgus)

Lokasi: Gopeng, Perak

Another Lifer of the Year 2025

The Pheasant-tailed Jacana is a striking waterbird found across tropical Asia, from Yemen to the Philippines. It is the only jacana species that migrates long distances and has distinct breeding and non-breeding plumages.

Physical Characteristics

• Breeding plumage: Features elongated central tail feathers, giving it a pheasant-like appearance. The body is chocolate brown, the face is white, and the nape has silky golden-yellow feathers. The wings are predominantly white with black borders.
• Non-breeding plumage: The head and back turn dark brown, with only traces of the golden nape feathers remaining. A dark eyestripe runs down the sides of the neck.
• Young birds: Have brown upper parts and a broken dark necklace. They are distinguishable from similar species by their white wings and black neck stripe.

Behavior & Habitat

• They walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, thanks to their elongated toes and nails.
• They forage by swimming or wading, primarily feeding on invertebrates.
• Females are larger than males and are polyandrous, meaning they lay multiple clutches that different males raise.

This species is truly fascinating, especially with its seasonal plumage changes and unique reproductive strategy