The Northern Jacana is a tropical marsh bird with remarkably long toes and claws that allow it to walk on floating lily pads and vegetation — earning it the nickname 'lily-trotter.' In a rare reversal of typical bird sex roles, females maintain territories and compete for males, while males incubate eggs and care for young. It barely enters the US, with a small population in southern Texas.
Habitat
Freshwater ponds and marshes with floating vegetation
Diet
Aquatic insects, seeds, and small vertebrates
How common
Rare
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