Bronze-winged Jacana (Metopidius indicus)
The Bronze-winged Jacana (Metopidius indicus) is a small wader bird that belongs to the family Jacanidae. It is found in wetlands, marshes, and shallow lakes across South and Southeast Asia, including countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Physical Characteristics:
The Bronze-winged Jacana is easily recognized by its long toes and claws, which help it to walk on floating vegetation in wetlands. It measures around 18-22 centimeters (7-9 inches) in length, with a wingspan of approximately 35-40 centimeters (14-16 inches). The bird has a brown back and head, with a bronze or copper-colored body and wings. The bill is yellow, and the legs and feet are long and black. The female is larger and more colorful than the male, with a more prominent bronze or copper body.
Diet:
The Bronze-winged Jacana primarily feeds on small aquatic invertebrates, such as insects, spiders, and snails. It may also consume small fish and amphibians. The bird forages by walking on floating vegetation or mud, using its long toes to search for prey.
Reproduction and Lifecycle:
The breeding season for the Bronze-winged Jacana typically occurs between May and September, depending on the location. These birds are polyandrous, with a single female mating with several males, who take care of the eggs and chicks. The female establishes a territory and builds a nest on floating vegetation or on the shore, which is a shallow, cup-shaped structure made of grass and leaves.
The female lays 3 to 6 eggs, which are incubated by the male for around 20-22 days. After hatching, the chicks are fed and cared for by the male, who teaches them to forage for food and avoid predators. The chicks become fully independent within a few weeks of hatching.
Conservation Status:
The Bronze-winged Jacana is currently listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its wide distribution and stable population. The species is not facing any major threats at present. However, habitat loss due to wetland destruction and degradation, as well as hunting and trapping, could pose potential risks to the Bronze-winged Jacana population in the future. Conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation and restoration, as well as educating local communities about the importance of wetlands and their conservation.