Pheasant-tailed Jacana vs Lesser Jacana

Hydrophasianus chirurgus compared with Microparra capensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Pheasant-tailed Jacana Lesser Jacana
Scientific Name Hydrophasianus chirurgus Microparra capensis
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Jacanidae Jacanidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 38.9 cm (15.3 in) 17.2 cm (6.8 in)
Weight 175.75 g (6.20 oz) 40.86666666666667 g (1.44 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 4 3-4
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Pheasant-tailed Jacana only

None

Lesser Jacana only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Pheasant-tailed Jacana

Least Concern

Lesser Jacana

About These Birds

Pheasant-tailed Jacana

Pheasant-tailed Jacana: 39–58 cm including tail. Spectacular freshwater jacana with breeding plumage featuring an extremely long curved tail, white wings, and golden-yellow hindneck. Inhabits floating vegetation on ponds and lakes from India to southeastern China and Southeast Asia; partially migratory. Polyandrous. Invertebrate and seed feeder.

Lesser Jacana

Lesser Jacana: 15–17 cm, Africa's smallest jacana with rufous crown, white supercilium, and plain brown-and-white plumage lacking a frontal shield. Inhabits floating vegetation on ponds and swamps from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. Secretive and often overlooked. Insectivorous. Monogamous; nests on floating vegetation.

More Birds to Explore