Animalia Life

Microparra capensis
TAXONOMY
Parra capensis Smith, 1839, Algoa Bay, South Africa. Monotypic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Lesser African jacana, lesser lily trotter; French: Jacana nain; German: Zwergblatthьhnchen; Spanish: Jacana Chica.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
6 in (15 cm); 1.4 oz (41 g). Smallest species in the jacana family. Brown plumage with white underparts. Adults resemble juveniles of other jacana species.
DISTRIBUTION
Tropical Africa, including parts of Mali, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, and Namibia.
HABITAT
Marshes, ponds, and lakes with floating aquatic vegetation. Also shallow water, often in emergent vegetation (sparse sedge and grass).
BEHAVIOR
Males and females actively defend territories with vocal calls. Females will engage in fights with intruders.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Primarily insects. Swims like a phalarope.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
This is the only monogamous species, with both males and females sharing equally in nest incubation and caring for chicks.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

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