Chasing a lifer, a Northern Jacana

The word was out. At Estero Llano Grande State Park, a juvenile Northern Jacana had been seen. I called my neighbor, Joanne, and we put on our birding gear and headed out. The day was sweltering but luckily the bird wasn't far down the trail, right at Grebe Marsh. We even had a bit of shade while we checked him out.

This is a really interesting bird, he has these huge feet that allow him to walk on lilypads and sometimes it appears he is even walking on top of the water, that is why he is also known as the "Jesus"bird.

They feed on insects on the surface of vegetation and ovules of water lilies. They will also consume snails, worms, small crabs, fish, mollusks, and seeds.

An awesome life bird for us!


We also saw this handsome Black Bellied Whistling Duck.

One of my favorite ducks because of their clawed web feet that allows them to perch on wires and tree limbs, and for their strange whistling call.

Here is a link to hear the call.
http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Dendrocygna-autumnalis

Another favorite of mine is the Great Kiskadee.