Madagascar Jacana Actophilornis albinucha Scientific name definitions

c. 30 cm; one female 239 g (1 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Similar in size to A. africanus, to which identical except for crown, hindneck and sides of neck white, with golden-yellow next to mantle; face and lower neck black; band of white sometimes from thighs across uppertail-coverts; tips of middle tail feathers black. Female slightly larger, e.g. in wing and tail lengths, but otherwise identical to male (1 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Immature similar to immature A. africanus, but crown, hindneck and eyestripe blacker.

W & N Madagascar, rare in the E.

Floating vegetation in freshwater marshes, on shallow lake margins , on ponds and along slow-flowing rivers , as well as marshy bays. Especially associated with water-lilies (Nymphaea stellata and N. lotus) and is absent from brackish waters where these plants do not grow (1 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Occurs from sea-level up to 750 m.

No definite reports, but probably makes local movements as water conditions vary, although population at L Sahaka appears to remain constant year-round, despite wetland area shrinking during dry season (1 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Insects and their larvae, and presumably other invertebrate prey; also seeds of aquatic plants perhaps including water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), but almost no details (1 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Forages over floating or floating-emergent vegetation, presumably gleaning prey off vegetation or water, and while typically found singly or in pairs, also forms loose groups numbering some tens, exceptionally up to 76 individuals (1 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Considered rather vocal. A medium-pitched trilling “trrrt ... trrrt ... trrrt ...” at rate of one note per second, usually given in long sequences, which rises slightly up and down scale and varies in speed, with several birds often calling simultaneously, apparently in display; also, gives a sharp and nervous-sounding “kreeeeeee” that is repeated, albeit at steadily reduced volume, which recalls vocalization of Madagascar Grebe (Tachybaptus pelzelnii) and is usually given during agonistic interactions with conspecifics (1 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Appears to breed throughout the year but little studied; definite records Dec–Jun. Nest a floating heap of aquatic plants. One clutch of four eggs reported, deep olive-buff well marked with brownish-black and grey lines, size 35·7–37·3 mm × 24·7–25·9 mm, apparently incubated by male alone, and same sex probably performs exclusive parental care; downy chick has top of head, hindneck and lores black, upperparts cinnamon-buff, brighter on sides, streaked dusky brown, and underparts, head- and neck-sides whitish (1 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Very little information available, but habits assumed to be similar to those of A. africanus.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. Abundant in N & W, but rare in E Madagascar and was historically probably more widespread (1 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Now uncommon on L Alaotra, where formerly common; Alaotra, Madagascar’s largest lake, has been seriously degraded by siltation, agricultural development, drainage, overfishing and poaching. Clearly affected generally by wetland degradation and destruction, and perhaps also by hunting at least formerly, but can survive in modified areas to some extent and seems fairly tolerant of human disturbance (1 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Species poorly known, but apparently secure at present.