The Bronze-winged Jacana (Metopidius indicus) is essentially the "lily-pad ninja" of the bird world. Found across South and Southeast Asia, these waders are famous for their oversized feet and unique social lives.
Key Physical Features
If you saw one in the wild, the first thing you’d notice—besides the colors—is the "snowshoe" effect of their feet.
The Feet: They have incredibly long toes and nails.
This isn't just a fashion choice; it distributes their weight so they can walk across floating vegetation (like lily pads) without sinking. Coloration: * Wings: A rich, metallic bronze-green.
Body: Deep black head, neck, and underparts.
The Stripe: A prominent, broad white stripe (supercilium) that runs from above the eye to the back of the head.
The Tail: A short, reddish-brown tail.
The "Shield": They have a fleshy, red-to-purple frontal shield (the bit of skin on the forehead) that becomes more vibrant during breeding season.
Habitat and Lifestyle
You won't find these birds in a dry forest. They are strictly "wetland specialists."
Home Base: Shallow lakes, marshes, and ponds with plenty of floating vegetation.
Diet: They are opportunistic omnivores.
They flip over lily pads to find insects, snails, and small invertebrates, but they'll also snack on seeds and aquatic plants.
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