African Jacana

Actophilornis africanus

Other Names

  Greater African Jacana, Lily-trotter   Jacana à poitrine dorée   Blaustirn-Blatthühnchen   Jacana Africana   Afrikansk jakana   Afrikaanse jacana, Lelieloper   Parra africana

World: Africa from Senegal, Gambia and Mauritania, East to Ethiopia and Somalia and South to Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.

Kenya: Mostly absent from the northern half of the country. In the southern half widespread below 3000m.

Common near fresh water with floating vegetation, the Jacana can be seen on most freshwater lakes in Kenya as well as around swamps and on ponds and pools with suitable vegetation. The adult (above) is quite distinct but young birds which are smaller and haven't developed the obvious blue-grey shield can be confused with the Lesser Jacana. However the shield is always present and the young African Jacana has a black crown and hind-neck.