The pheasant-tailed jacana is a jacana in the monotypic genus Hydrophasianus. Like all other jacanas, they have elongated toes and nails that enable them to walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, their preferred habitat. They may also swim or wade in water reaching their body while foraging mainly for invertebrate prey. They are found in tropical Asia from Yemen in the west to the Philippines in the east and move seasonally in parts of their range. They are the only jacanas that migrate long distances and have different non-breeding and breeding plumages. The pheasant-tailed jacana forages by swimming or by walking on aquatic vegetation. Females are larger than males and are polyandrous, laying several clutches that are raised by different males in their harem.
Region
Tropical Asia
Typical Environment
Found from Yemen and southern Iran across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia to southern China and the Philippines. Prefers shallow freshwater wetlands with abundant floating vegetation such as lotus and water lilies, including natural lakes, marshes, and rice paddies. Breeding occurs in seasonal wetlands where water levels are suitable for nest platforms of floating leaves. Northern populations migrate southward after breeding to warmer, ice-free waters. They may also disperse locally following monsoon patterns and water availability.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking jacana is unique in having extremely long tail streamers in breeding plumage, giving it a pheasant-like silhouette. Females are larger and polyandrous, often maintaining harems and laying multiple clutches that males incubate and rear. They walk on floating vegetation thanks to exceptionally long toes and claws and can also swim when needed.
Sonnerat's "surgeon of the island of Luzon" (1776)
Skeleton of a female, showing the spur on the wing, pneumatization of the base of upper mandible, and trunk with sternum, trachea and hyoid
Temperament
wary and territorial around nests
Flight Pattern
direct, with shallow wingbeats and legs trailing; capable of sustained migratory flights
Social Behavior
Strongly polyandrous: a larger female may mate with several males, each male incubating and caring for a clutch on floating vegetation. Nests are simple platforms of leaves anchored among aquatic plants. Chicks are precocial and can run on lily pads shortly after hatching; males often brood and may carry chicks under their wings.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Calls are sharp, piping whistles and mewing notes, often given in flight over wetlands. During breeding they become more vocal, with repeated, high-pitched squeals used in territorial and courtship displays.
Plumage
Sleek, contrasting plumage with glossy dark upperparts and clean white wing panels; breeding birds show elongated central tail feathers and a golden mantle stripe. Non-breeding birds are duller, with a brown crown and back, white face and underparts, and no long tail.
Diet
Feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates such as insects, larvae, and small mollusks, gleaned from the surface of leaves and water. Will also take small crustaceans and occasionally the seeds or buds of aquatic plants. Forages deliberately, picking items from lily pads and probing among stems, and may swim to reach prey.
Preferred Environment
Shallow freshwater bodies with extensive floating vegetation, including lotus and water lily beds, oxbow lakes, marshes, and flooded rice fields. Prefers quiet waters with dense plant cover that supports walking and nesting.
