Jacana, Pheasant-tailed

Conservation status:

Vagrant

Description:

Rail-like and mostly seen walking on floating vegetation on very long toes. Adult breeding has long black down-curved tail, chocolate-brown body, striking head marks with white face and fore-neck, golden-yellow hindneck, edged black; white wings with black tips are very conspicuous in flight. In non-breeding plumage tail is short, underparts turn white, but a dark breastband remains, running up the neck and joining the eye-stripe. Juvenile resembles adult non-breeding but breast band flecked white, and head and neck pattern are duller. Low, rapid flight with dangling legs, and landing with raised wings.