The comb-crested jacana, also known as the lotusbird or lilytrotter, is the only species of jacana in the genus Irediparra. Like other jacana species, it is adapted to the floating vegetation of tropical freshwater wetlands.
Region
Australasia
Typical Environment
Occurs across northern and eastern Australia, southern New Guinea, and parts of Wallacea where suitable wetlands exist. Prefers shallow freshwater wetlands with abundant floating vegetation such as waterlilies, lotus, and other aquatic plants. Uses mats of vegetation, farm dams, billabongs, lagoons, and slow backwaters more than fast-flowing rivers. Often tracks ephemeral wetlands after rains and avoids large expanses of open, deep water.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the lotusbird or lilytrotter, it walks across floating vegetation using extremely long toes that spread its weight. The species is polyandrous: larger females may mate with several males, and males incubate the eggs and care for chicks. Chicks can hide by submerging with just the bill tip exposed among water plants.
Temperament
wary but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with legs trailing
Social Behavior
Often seen singly or in loose groups, spacing out over lily mats while foraging. The species is polyandrous; females defend territories that may contain several nesting males. Males build floating nests, incubate, and brood the young, which are precocial and quickly follow the male.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, piping notes and squeaky calls, especially when alarmed or during territorial disputes. Displays include rapid chatter and repeated high-pitched peeps over wetlands.
Plumage
Rich chestnut-brown upperparts with a black crown, hindneck, and upper breast; white face and throat; white belly. In flight shows dark flight feathers with a contrasting pale panel and long trailing legs and toes.
Diet
Feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates such as insects, larvae, spiders, and small mollusks picked from leaves and flowers. Also takes seeds, pollen, and tender plant matter opportunistically. Forages deliberately, probing and gleaning across floating leaves and along emergent stems.
Preferred Environment
Most often feeds on mats of waterlilies, lotus, and other floating plants in calm, shallow wetlands. Will also forage along vegetated margins of ponds, lagoons, and floodplain pools.
