Historical reference: Do not rely on this information. It is very old. About this collection
Jacana, any bird of the sub-family Parrinae, of the Rail family. They are plover-like birds, from the warmer parts of both hemispheres, with very long toes and claws that enable them to walk with ease on floating vegetation. There is a horny wing spur and generally a frontal lobe with wattles at the base of the bill.