Bronze-winged jacana

The bronze-winged jacana is a captivating bird native to South and Southeast Asia. Belonging to the family Jacanidae and the genus Metopidius, these birds are distinguished by their long feet, which enable them to walk on floating vegetation, such as lilies, without sinking. This remarkable adaptation allows them to efficiently forage on these plants.

Female bronze-winged jacanas are slightly larger than males and exhibit an intriguing polyandrous behavior, in which one female has multiple male partners. During the breeding season, each female maintains a harem of males who are responsible for caring for the young. These dedicated fathers will even carry chicks under their wings to ensure their safety when threatened.

The bronze-winged jacana was first described by John Latham in 1790 and originally classified in the genus Parra. In 1832, Johann Georg Wagler reclassified the species into the genus Metopidius. This species is distinctive as it does not have any recognized subspecies. Some unique anatomical features include a reduced carpal spur and a flattened radius bone, which might assist them in territorial conflicts or in caring for their eggs and young.

In terms of appearance, these birds bear a resemblance to rails, with their dark bodies, bronzy-brown wings, and striking white stripes above their eyes. Their bills are greenish-yellow with a red base, and their legs also have a greenish hue, ending in long toes. Juvenile jacanas differ noticeably from adults, displaying varied colorations and markings.

Bronze-winged jacanas are prevalent throughout the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, typically found in low-elevation areas. They are generally sedentary but may move seasonally in response to droughts and rains. Often seen foraging on aquatic plants, they adeptly balance on their long legs and toes while feeding on plant material and small invertebrates. Their distinctive wheezy call and territorial behavior during the breeding season are notable.

In terms of mating, bronze-winged jacanas exhibit an intriguing role reversal. The larger, territorial females maintain multiple male partners who incubate the eggs. This results in significant competition among males and creates a complex social structure within the species.