09 Sep Northern Jacana in Caño Negro – Costa Rica’s Water Rooster
The Northern Jacana: The “Gallito de Agua” of Caño Negro
When exploring the lush wetlands of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, one of the most striking and curious birds you will encounter is the Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa). Known locally as the “Gallito de agua” (literally little water rooster), this colorful bird is a year-round resident of Costa Rica’s wetlands and a favorite among birdwatchers.
With its glossy black head and chest, chestnut-brown wings, and bright yellow frontal shield and bill, the Northern Jacana is impossible to mistake. But beyond its looks, its habits and role in the wetland ecosystem make it truly fascinating.
Why “Gallito de Agua”?
The Spanish nickname “Gallito de agua” comes from two key traits:
1. Appearance and Behavior. Its bright yellow facial shield resembles a rooster’s comb, and its loud, piercing calls sound like a small rooster announcing its territory.
2. Wetland Habitat. Unlike barnyard roosters, this bird lives almost entirely on the water, striding across lily pads and aquatic plants with its long toes. Thus, locals gave it the name “water rooster.”
Adapted for Life on Water
Northern Jacanas are masters of wetland living. Their extra-long toes and claws distribute their weight so effectively that they can walk across floating plants as if they were walking on water. Visitors to Caño Negro often marvel at how effortlessly these birds balance on vegetation that would sink under most animals.
Unique Breeding Habits
The Northern Jacana’s breeding system is one of the most unusual in the bird world:
– Role Reversal. Females are larger, more territorial, and mate with several males. It is the males who build floating nests, incubate the eggs, and care for the young.
– Floating Nests. Nests are crafted from aquatic vegetation, designed to rise and fall with water levels—an ingenious adaptation to life in wetlands.
– Chick Care. The chicks hatch covered in down and are ready to walk, swim, and feed within hours. Males are dedicated fathers, often seen carrying chicks under their wings with only the tiny legs sticking out—a comical but effective form of protection.
In Caño Negro, breeding season usually aligns with the rainy months (May–October), when food is abundant and water levels are high.
Curious Facts about the Northern Jacana
– Their frontal shield (the yellow plate on their forehead) is used to attract mates and defend territory.
– Their calls are among the most distinctive sounds of Caño Negro’s wetlands, often heard before the bird is spotted.
– Despite looking delicate, jacanas are highly aggressive when defending their chicks or territory.
A Birdwatching Highlight in Caño Negro
For birdwatchers and photographers, the Northern Jacana is both easy to spot and endlessly entertaining to observe. Whether striding across lily pads, squabbling with rivals, or tending chicks, it offers countless opportunities to appreciate the wonders of wetland life.
Visiting Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge not only provides a chance to see jacanas up close but also to witness the incredible biodiversity of more than 350 bird species that thrive in this internationally recognized Ramsar wetland.
So next time you explore Caño Negro, listen for the calls of the “Gallito de agua.” This little water rooster is more than just a bird—it’s a symbol of the vibrant life that depends on Costa Rica’s wetlands.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.