Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Irediparra gallinacea
Profile last updated:
07 Aug 2024
Description
The Comb-crested Jacana is a highly distinctive, medium-sized waterbird (body length 20-27 cm), with long legs and exceptionally long toes that allow the bird to walk on floating vegetation, which may sometimes be partly submerged, giving the impression of the bird walking on water. This gave rise to the common name of Jesus-bird or Christbird. The Comb-crested Jacana is mainly olive-brown above and white on the underbody, with a black cap and upperneck, a white face with a golden tinge, a broad dark band across the breast, and a large red fleshy comb on the forehead and a red bill. The legs and feet are grey to olive-green, and the eyes orange.
Comb-crested Jacanas can be seen singly, in twos or groups or flocks of various sizes, on a wide range of freshwater wetlands. They are busy and unmistakable as they walk on lily pads and other floating vegetation. In flight, their long legs and feet extend noticeably past the tip oif the tail. Its strident piping and twittering calls are also distinctive.
Distribution
The Comb-crested Jacana occurs on freshwater wetlands in northern and eastern Australia, mainly in coastal and subcoastal regions, from the north-eastern Kimberley Division of Western Australia to Cape York Peninsula then south along the east coast to the Hunter region of NSW, with stragglers recorded in south-eastern NSW (possibly in response to unfavourable conditions further north).
Beyond Australia, the Comb-crested Jacana occurs from Borneo and the Phillippines, south and east through Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sunda Islands, to the Aru Islands, New Guinea and New Britain.
Habitat and ecology
- Inhabit permanent freshwater wetlands, either still or slow-flowing, with a good surface cover of floating vegetation, especially water-lilies, or fringing and aquatic vegetation.
- Forage on floating vegetation, walking with a characteristic bob and flick. They feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates, as well as some seeds and other vegetation.
- Breed mainly in spring and summer in NSW, with clutches recorded from September to April. The nest is a platform or shallow cup of vegetable material, though eggs sometimes laid directly onto a large leaf with no nest built. The male builds the nest, incubates the eggs and broods the young. Eggs that roll into the water from a nest are usually retrieved.
- The young are precocial, but the adult male can carry one or two under each wing if they are threatened and drop them in separate places.
- Young birds will dive and stay submerged with just their nostrils exposed for a very long time. Adults will also dive for safety on occasion.
- Comb-crested Jacanas are dispersive, moving about in response to the condition of wetlands, and occasionally turn up well beyond normal range.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Loss of wetland habitat through clearing and draining for flood mitigation and agricultural and urban development.
- Degradation of habitat through removal of floating aquatic vegetation by grazing of livestock.
- Loss of wetland habitats has led to declines in NSW, and elsewhere, but the species uses suitable artifical wetlands with aquatic vegetation, including introduced plants, partly offsetting declines.
- Predation on breeding birds and their nests by feral predators such as the European red fox.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Retain or reintroduce ecologically sustainable water flows to known or potentail wetland habitats.
- Protect all known or potential wetland habitats from flood mitigation works, clearing or development close to wetlands, including a vegetated buffer of at least 200 metres around the perimeter of the wetland.
- Exclude grazing within known or potential wetlands to avoid degradation of wetlands and loss or degradation of aquatic or fringing wetland vegetation.
- Control Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes)and other potential introduced predators.
- Undertake ecological research and monitoring of Comb-crested Jacanas to understand their populations in NSW and their responses to natural and artificial variation in wetlands.
Information sources
- Dostine, P.L. and Morton, S.R. (2000) Seasonal abundance and diet of the Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea in the tropical Northern Territory. Emu 100: 299-311.
- Garnett, S. (1985) Evidence for polyandry in the Comb-crested Jacana. The Stilt 7: 24.
- Mace, T.R. (2000) Time budget and pair-bond dynamics in the Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea: a test of hypotheses. Emu 100: 31-41.
- Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J. (Eds) (1993) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 2: Raptors to Lapwings. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)
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