Comb-crested Jacana — David Taylor - Master Jeweller

Adult bird, Wurruma Swamp, November 2022.

This bird is also known as the Lotus Bird. They live permanently at the same location so once you have seen them at a spot you will see them again.

They use those extremely long feet to walk across the top of the vegetation on the waters surface.

Adult bird, Wurruma Swamp, February 2024.

They seem to be constantly walking through the surface vegetation in a never ending search for food.

They will enter the water in pursuit of a meal and can even swim submerged. That said this is about as close as I have ever seen to one going under water.

When they do fly it is usually a short distance and just above the water. During flight those long legs trail behind the body horizontally, dropping down as they come in to land.

As well as searching on top of the vegetation they will poke their heads under to make a meal of anything on their menu hiding.

Insects are a major part of their diet. That said they are not quick like a Kingfisher so this dragonfly was pretty unlucky.

They also eat aquatic plants and seeds. Not sure if this bird has a seed or an insect larva.

I usually see them in pairs or small groups and the males and females look similar.

Their alarm is a trumpet like call. They also make a soft twittering sound usually during flight.

Immature birds have a less formed comb and a more brownish tinge to their body. Even younger birds (shown above) are browner still and the comb almost non visible.

Despite looking very cute they are quite aggressive towards each other at times as this sequence of photos of birds fighting shows. Photos taken at Cattana Wetlands, January 2020.

Immature bird in flight, Tablelands Swamp, August 2020.

They are extremely shy so you often get photos of them flying away from you if you are quick enough. The status of these birds is common. They are quite abundant in the north and less so in the south.