Chronicles of a Birders Life List

Over the past 40 years I have had the good fortune to photographically document 85% of the bird species added to my “Life List.” This blog series showcases the images and anecdotal accounts that document those “Lifer” sightings and a little about the environment and culture of the area. This Lifer blog series begins with the first LIFER outside of the US, Lifer #624 and proceeds chronologically forward from there.

A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) > Jacanidae > Charadriiformes

IDENTIFICATION: Fancy-looking, vaguely chicken-like bird of freshwater marshes, lakes, and ponds in tropical lowlands, locally in highlands. Walks with high-stepping gait, often on top of floating vegetation (note its very long toes!). Adult is chestnut overall with black head and neck; immature looks very different, with creamy-white face, neck, and underparts. Bright yellow wings striking in flight, when birds usually give shrieks and other raucous calls. Flies with stiff wingbeats and glides, the long feet trailing out behind.

FIRST “LIFER” OBSERVATION:
Birding with: My wife Maria
Date: 06 Dec 2021 @ Laguna Cobá, Quintana Roo, MX
Laguna Cobá | MX-ROO

SPECIES GLOBAL eBIRD DISTRIBUTION MAP
Yellow Star indications the location of my Lifer sighting

DETAILS ABOUT SIGHTING: Maria and I arrived early to the Cobá Archeological Zone with hopes of avoiding large crowds. The lagoon was quiet and peaceful when we arrived. We birded around the edge of the lagoon briefly as we waited for the ruins to open. I saw a Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Least Grebe, Limpkin and Snail Kite. All interesting birds, but not lifers. After touring the ruins for a couple of hours (6 LIFERS!) we had lunch at the restaurant, Maria washed her hands and left her binoculars there (ugh…) and I went for a walk along the edge of the lagoon. I almost immediately spotted a single Northern Jacana scoot across the tops of the lily pads. I snagged one shot of it in partial flight showing its yellow underwing linings. It was then joined by 3 immature birds and another adult. I ended up seeing Northern Jacanas amny times in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.

PHOTOS TAKEN: All images were captured at the Cobá Lagoon near the entrance to the archeological zone entrance.

Previous 3 posts in my LIFER Blog Series.

• 
  Lifer 684 – Yucatan Flycatcher
  by Jim Gain
  February 20, 2024
• 
  Lifer 683 – Lesson’s Motmot
  by Jim Gain
  February 19, 2024
• 
  Lifer 680 – Squirrel Cuckoo
  by Jim Gain
  February 18, 2024