Jacana, << `zhah` suh NAH, >> is any of a group of small wading birds found in tropical areas worldwide. Jacanas have extremely long toes and nails. When searching for food, the jacana uses its long toes to run easily over the floating leaves of large water plants.
An Asian jacana called the pheasant-tailed jacana has a long tail somewhat like a pheasant’s. This bird is brownish above and purplish below. It has a white head and white wings. The northern jacana lives from Panama to as far north as Texas. It has purplish-chestnut feathers. In the bend of each wing is a strong spur, which the jacana uses as a weapon.
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