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Wednesday, 4 January 2017

Wild Bird Wednesday 232 - Comb-crested Jacana

The Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) is a remarkable bird that lives on and around lily pads.  This habit and habitat also gives rise to a couple of other 'common names' - Lily Trotter and Jesus bird - this last one due to its apparent ability to walk on water!

Lily-trotter is a wonderfully descriptive (and accurate) name for this bird which uses its huge feet (best seen in the pictures of the chick below) to spread its load over floating water plants.  These pictures were taken just as the sun was setting on Yellow Water in Kakadu National Park.

As you can see, the adult bird was rather inactive - and as far as I can recall it never moved from the shelter of its clump of plants.  The chicks on the other hand were very active.  Just as we were about to leave, one of the chicks walked into a patch of sunlight - it was a wonderful thing to see.

Just to prove that I did not spend my entire trip 'up north' in Kakadu, I have also added a group shot of this species from Fog Dam, which is less than two hours from Darwin.














Well, this is the first WBW for 2017 - so lets make an effort to make as big as possible!  Pass on the link, encourage friends and relative to visit and link up and lets see how it goes.  I took a week off over the holidays, so I'll visit everyone soon!  SM

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27 comments:

  1. Sallie (FullTime-Life)4 January 2017 at 03:13

    Happy New Year to all at your house! The Jacana chicks are sweet and the adults are definitely unique. I think I'd recognize these guys if I were ever lucky enough to come across them in real life. Love both the nicknames!

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  2. NatureFootstep4 January 2017 at 03:42

    this one I have not seen. It is a gorgeous bird ans such a cute little one :) Nice shots.

    Happy New Year. :)

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  3. Author R. Mac Wheeler4 January 2017 at 03:44

    neat looking swamp hens

    :)

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  4. Rhodesia4 January 2017 at 04:13

    I love these birds we used to see lots in South Africa. The photos of the chick are fantastic. Happy New Year Diane

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  5. Brian King4 January 2017 at 04:24

    Unusual looking birds. I like the youngster and those big, gangly feet!

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  6. Findlay Wilde4 January 2017 at 04:25

    Happy New year Stewart. I think I prefer the name Lily Trotter for this bird. Great pictures. We are enjoying a bumper Waxwing year over her at the moment.

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  7. eileeninmd4 January 2017 at 04:31

    Hello Stewart, Your crested-jacana is a cool looking bird. The chick is adorable. Awesome collection of photos. Thanks for hosting. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

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  8. Kenneth Cole Schneider4 January 2017 at 06:56

    Quite a unique bird, and those are some toes! Happy New Year!

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  9. Linda W.4 January 2017 at 07:19

    Awww....that baby bird is sooo cute! Great photos, as always!

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  10. Sue (this n that)4 January 2017 at 08:29

    Quite lovely to see those chicks. Great photographs!

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  11. Andrea @ From The Sol4 January 2017 at 09:39

    An interesting bird for sure. The babies would make great cartoon characters with those long lanky legs and gigantic (relative to the rest of their body)feet. Great pictures ... wish we could see the bigger feet of Mom and Dad:) Something you can do for us in the future :) Hope you had a wonderful New Year Celebration and enjoyed your soccer outing ... the year is off to a good start for you (assuming that your team won:) One down and 51 to go for 2017 WBW ... looking forward to every one of them.

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  12. This N That4 January 2017 at 10:24

    Interesting..I never knew there were short necked Herons..Great shots..

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  13. This N That4 January 2017 at 10:32

    Beautiful pictures..Colorful habitat..Huge feet indeed..I wonder if they ever trip over them..How can they run?.Sorry but I don't have any birdies to share this week..Happy New Year.

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  14. Beth4 January 2017 at 11:50

    What interesting looking birds - the red comb on the adult and the gangly youngster. So enjoy your blog Stewart. Happy 2017!

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  15. TheChieftess4 January 2017 at 13:21

    Sweet little baby birds!!! Great capture Stewart!!!

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  16. Anu4 January 2017 at 18:28

    Beautiful birds. Great photos!

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  17. Lea4 January 2017 at 19:01

    Wow! Those are big feet!
    Great photos!

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  18. Lady Fi4 January 2017 at 21:59

    Great shots! Love that chick.

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  19. Linda5 January 2017 at 00:00

    What a lovely bird. The young one is so cute.

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  20. David M. Gascoigne,5 January 2017 at 00:38

    Jacanas are amazing species - always a delight to see. The last ones I saw were in Costa Rica. All the very best for the New Year, Stewart. I hope it brings you great happiness.

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  21. Richard Pegler5 January 2017 at 01:55

    Very strange-looking birds, Stewart!

    I wish you and yours all the best for 2017 - may it be healthy and happy, and full of wildlife - - - - Richard

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  22. Silver Parrot5 January 2017 at 11:16

    I'm a little behind after being on holiday break, but what a great series of photos. I love the one of the parent bird hiding in its clump of plants, but the one of the chick is SO CUTE!

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  23. Linda5 January 2017 at 14:09

    Wow, look at the little guy walking on water! Fantastic!

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  24. BumbleVee6 January 2017 at 03:18

    My goodness, their legs are so long...

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  25. Haddock8 January 2017 at 10:02

    The chicks look cute.

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  26. GreenComotion8 January 2017 at 14:45

    Hiya Stewart-
    Never seen these cuties before, so thanks for the lovely photo tour.
    Wish you a Very Healthy & Happy 2017 and beyond!
    Have a Happy Weekend!
    Peace :)

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  27. Vineeta Yashsavi9 January 2017 at 19:24

    Beautiful series... Happy New Year Stewart...

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