A hot afternoon in Kununura, lake side at Lake Kununura, looking once again for the Crocodiles that rest here, I noticed the Comb-Crested Jacana and many of them. They are quite a pretty little bird and fascinating to watch as they move across the top of the water with ease.
Once again, these images show just how good the Sony 70-200mm lens really is as all of these images are heavily cropped, but the detail that remains, and the sharpness are simply unbeatable.
The Comb-Crested Jacana, scientific name Irediparra gallinacea, is a unique bird species belonging to the family Jacanidae. It is commonly found in the wetlands, swamps, and shallow lakes of Southeast Asia, including countries such as India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
The Comb-Crested Jacana is known for its striking appearance and distinct behavior. It has a medium-sized body, measuring about 25 to 30 centimeters (10 to 12 inches) in length. Both males and females have long legs and toes, which are specially adapted for walking on floating vegetation. They have a black crown with a prominent crest or comb-like structure that gives them their name. The rest of their body is mostly white, with some black markings on the wings and back.
One of the most fascinating features of the Comb-Crested Jacana is its breeding behavior. Unlike most bird species, the male Jacanas take on the primary responsibility of incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks. They construct floating nests made of vegetation, often hidden among water plants, and lay several eggs in them. After the female lays the eggs, she typically leaves the male to tend to them and find another mate to lay more eggs with.
The male Jacana is highly territorial and fiercely defends both the nesting area and the chicks once they hatch. The chicks have a precocial development, meaning they are relatively independent and can walk and swim soon after hatching. However, the male still provides protection, guidance, and assistance in finding food until they reach maturity.
The Comb-Crested Jacana is primarily a vegetarian, feeding on a diet consisting of aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. It forages by walking on floating vegetation, using its long toes and claws to distribute its weight and prevent sinking.
Due to its widespread distribution and adaptability to various wetland habitats, the Comb-Crested Jacana is not considered globally threatened. However, local populations may face habitat loss and degradation due to human activities such as drainage of wetlands for agriculture or urban development. Efforts are being made to conserve their habitats and raise awareness about the importance of wetland ecosystems for these unique bird species.
One early morning on Sydney Harbour near Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, a Seagull Mother and her hungry child go through the feeding ritual.
The Australian National Botanic Gardens in ACT, offers a great opportunity to get up close with some of Australia’s Lizards, hundreds of
On my first attempt to capture bees it was a failure. My second visit I succeeded in capturing some pretty decent images
Another adventure to the NSW Outback after another long lockdown, and this time wildlife was everywhere we looked. This trip more so
Queen Victoria’s Head in Western Australia refers to a distinctive rock formation found in the remote Kimberley region. Shaped by natural erosion,
The Jacky Winter is a small bird native to Australia, typically found in woodland and forest habitats. It measures around 13 cm
