Northern Jacana

Jacana spinosa

Northern Jacana
Northern Jacana Northern Jacana Northern Jacana Northern Jacana Northern Jacana Northern Jacana Northern Jacana Northern Jacana Northern Jacana Northern Jacana Northern Jacana
OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyJacanidae
HabitatFreshwater marshes and ponds with floating vegetation
SeasonRare and irregular visitor to South Texas
LocationSanta Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Alamo, Texas, Hidalgo County, Texas
Size6.5-9.5 inches
DietInsects, snails, small fish, and seeds
ConservationLeast Concern (IUCN)
CameraNikon Z9Lens800mmAperturef/8Shutter1/2500ISO6400
Northern Jacana walking the lily pads at Santa Ana -- a rare visitor from Mexico.

About the Northern Jacana

The Northern Jacana walks on water, or at least looks like it. Its extremely long toes and claws spread its weight across lily pads and floating plants, so it can stroll across a pond hunting insects and snails.

Jacanas also turn the usual roles around. Females are larger, defend territories, and may mate with several males, while each male incubates the eggs and raises the chicks on his own. When a jacana raises its wings, it shows flashes of bright yellow-green flight feathers.

In the United States this species is a rare visitor from Mexico, and a Texas record draws birders from across the country. These photographs come from Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Hidalgo County on September 23, 2025.

Want to see a Northern Jacana in the wild?
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