- Scientific Name: Jacana spinosa
- Name in Spanish (Mexico): Jacana Norteña
- ABA 4-Letter Bird Code: NOJA
- Family: Jacanidae – Jacanas
- Order: Charadriiformes – Sandpipers, Gulls and Allies
About this Species
The Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) is a distinctive bird species found in Belize, typically residing in freshwater wetlands, marshes, and flooded grasslands. They are easily recognized by their long toes, which allow them to walk on floating vegetation, and their black and yellow plumage. Their neck, breast, and underparts are pale gray in color, and they have a distinctive red bill.
Northern Jacanas are widely distributed throughout the Americas, with their range extending from the southern United States to northern Argentina. In Belize, they are found in wetlands throughout the country, including at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and the Chiquibul Forest Reserve.
These birds are highly adapted to their aquatic habitats and have unique breeding behaviors. During breeding season, males build a series of floating nests among vegetation, and females will lay their eggs in these nests. The males then take over the majority of parental duties, incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks once they hatch. Northern Jacanas are also known for their distinctive vocalizations, which can be heard echoing across wetlands throughout Belize.
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