African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus)

12 inches long

Found in Africa south of the Sahara, but absent from drier areas.

Can be seen running over water lilies and other aquatic vegetation, hence the popular name “lily trotter”. Dives and swims when necessary and is a strong flier. May form flocks of hundreds when not breeding.

Inhabits permanent or seasonally flooded shallow freshwater wetlands, requiring floating vegetation (especially water-lilies) for nesting on, as well as tall emergent vegetation near the shore for cover and stagnant marshes with open water, flooded grassland, waterways choked with vegetation, small lakes, dams, ponds and the sheltered shores, inlets and backwaters of broad slow-flowing rivers.

Its diet consists predominantly of insects (e.g. dragonfly nymphs, bees) and worms, as well as spiders, crustaceans, molluscs and occasionally seeds.

The nest is usually a simple, partly submerged pad of aquatic vegetation, although on deeper water nests are often placed on small floating rafts of vegetation. Usually placed in a quiet bay.


Photographed on the Zambezi River, above Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.