Well, well, well, it’s you again!
Jolyon, the Pheasant-tailed Jacana calls out to you
Remember me? Jolyon Jacana, from the Yala Jacanas! Last time, I shared how I don’t walk on water, even though it looks like I do - yes that’s right, it’s all thanks to my lobed feet and the floating vegetation I stride across. But today, I’ve got a few more fun updates for you—especially if you want to learn what life is like in my world! Did you know that male Jacanas are excellent parents? In our polyandrous lifestyle, the males take over all the parenting duties. From incubating the eggs to caring for the chicks, it’s all on us. The chicks are a handful, since they’re capable of walking and swimming almost immediately after hatching. It’s a full-time job, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Fun Facts
You remember those floating water lilies and lotus pads, right? That’s where I live, eat, and play. Foraging for insects, seeds, and molluscs is a daily affair, and my long bill makes it easier to probe beneath the surface. I’m also a bit of a swimmer, diving gracefully into the water when necessary. But trust me, nothing beats the elegance of walking across the water’s surface—after all, that’s what Jacanas do best! Now, a quick word about our wetlands. They’re crucial to our survival, but they’re under threat from habitat destruction! The draining of wetlands for agriculture and development is making it harder for birds like me to thrive. So, next time you’re near a wetland, think of me and my fellow Jacanas—and help protect the environment that supports us. Well, it’s been great catching up! Until next time, take care and keep spreading the word about us Jacanas!
Story of the Photo
Yala National Park teems with birdlife and the Pheasant-tailed Jacana is one of its notable inhabitants. Whilst staying at the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Yala, Dilum was out on a morning safari when he got this dramatic shot of a Jacana just about to land.