*CLICKED By Dr Salil Choksi MD, Virar, Mah, Jun ‘22*

*215/365: Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)*

*Water Princess!*

Widespread resident- freshwater wetlands with floating vegetation.

31 cm (60 cm with tail);  Chocolate brown body, white head & wing patch, golden silky nape, long legs elongated toes & straight  claws, sharp white carpal spurs, sharp bills, rounded wings.

*Breeding adult has long, black, sickle-shaped tail* & brown underparts. Non-breeder has dark breast-band, no tail. Female is larger.

Breeding- *Female is polyandrous* – mates with several males, lays several clutches raised by different males.

Male weaves a nest-a raft of grass /stems anchored to vegetation or floating & incubates the eggs, cares for & guards the chicks. Model father!

Male wards off predators; during danger he moves eggs wedged between bill & breast. Chicks hide by submerging almost completely on danger alarm.

*’Be the Princess of your own fairy tale’-Anon*

*Pheasant-tailed Jacana:*

8 species of jacanas occur worldwide (2 in India).

Forages on Invertebrates, insects, seen single/ in pairs. 

*Elongated toes & claws spread body weight & help to walk on floating vegetation*. Walk daintily, slowly with high steps, jerking tail .Fly low over the water surface. Weak flier, good swimmer.