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The Jesus bird

on 25th September 2009

This Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea), also known as Jesus bird and Christbird, was photographed in Australia by Jimmy Tan a.k.a. skylark in August 2009.

This Australian jacana is found around shallow freshwater wetlands. Like other jacanas, it has typically elongated toes and claws that help spread its weight when moving across floating vegetation, like the large leaves of waterlilies. This in turn gives the impression that they walk on water, especially when the vegetation is submerged, Such behaviour gives rise to the popular names of Jesus bird and Christbird.

The bird is easily recognised by its prominent red comb that change to pale yellow when the bird is frightened. It flies weakly, the long legs trailing as if injured. Unlike most other birds that use the tail as a rudder, the jacana uses the trailing legs to steer.

Reference:
Goodfellow, D. L. & M. Scott, 2005. Birds of Australia’s top end. Reed New Holland, Sydney. 159 pp.

This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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