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.
Best time to see a Northern Jacana
The best time to see a Northern Jacana is September–December, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 220 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Northern Jacana? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Northern Jacana sightings near you
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