African Jacana

Actophilornis africanus

The African Jacana, also known as the 'lily-trotter', is a striking wader found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is known for its unique long toes and distinctive chestnut plumage. This bird is often found walking on floating vegetation in shallow lakes and marshes, using its long toes to distribute its weight and navigate the water lilies. The African Jacana is highly territorial and exhibits polyandrous mating behavior, with the females being larger and more brightly colored than the males. These birds are adept at foraging for insects, small invertebrates, and seeds in their wetland habitats.

Habitat: Wetlands, shallow lakes, marshes

African Jacana
© Bernard DUPONT · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

16 Days Uganda Birding and Wildlife Photography Tour
16 Days Uganda Birding and Wildlife Photography Tour
Uganda / Entebbe Private tour 16 days | 0h

Fixed-date Uganda birding and wildlife photography tour with Shoebill, Murchison Falls, Budongo, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Lake Mb...

From 5492.00 USD Next: 2027-09-04
Birds and Wildlife of Uganda with Lawson's Safaris
Birds and Wildlife of Uganda with Lawson's Safaris
Uganda / Entebbe Group tour 15 days | 0h

A 15-day Uganda birding safari from Entebbe through Murchison Falls, Budongo, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Lake Mburo....

From 5350.00 USD Next: 2027-08-01
Birds and Wildlife of Kenya with Lawson's Safaris
Birds and Wildlife of Kenya with Lawson's Safaris
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 16 days | 0h

A 16-day Kenya birding safari from Nairobi through Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Rift Valley lakes, Kakamega, Lake Victoria and the Masai Mara....

From 7390.00 USD Next: 2027-05-17
16 Days Central, Northern and Western Kenya Birding
16 Days Central, Northern and Western Kenya Birding
Kenya / Nairobi Private tour 16 days | 0h

Kenya birding route through Nairobi, Mount Kenya, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, Kakamega, Kisumu, Masai Mara, Naivasha and Kinangop....

From 3767.00 USD
14 Days Uganda Birding and Wildlife Photography Safari
14 Days Uganda Birding and Wildlife Photography Safari
Uganda / Entebbe Private tour 14 days | 0h

Uganda western circuit birding and wildlife photography route with Mabamba, Budongo, Kibale, Semuliki, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Lake Mbur...

From 4880.00 USD
Kiguhu Wetlands Birding Tour with Roger Irakoze
Kiguhu Wetlands Birding Tour with Roger Irakoze
Rwanda / Musanze Private tour 5h

Affordable private wetland birding near northern Rwanda with Roger Irakoze....

From 25.00 USD
Lake Karago and Bihinga Wetlands Birding with Roger Irakoze
Lake Karago and Bihinga Wetlands Birding with Roger Irakoze
Rwanda / Karago Private tour 5h

Relaxed private birding around Lake Karago and nearby Bihinga wetlands for waterbirds and marsh specialties....

From 35.00 USD
Birds of Northern Tanzania Safari with Oluokos Signature
Birds of Northern Tanzania Safari with Oluokos Signature
Tanzania / Arusha Custom tour 7 days | 0h

A northern Tanzania birding draft for endemic and regional species across Arusha, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Serengeti-style ha...

From 4600.00 USD
Bird Watching at Impala Park and Dunga Boardwalk
Bird Watching at Impala Park and Dunga Boardwalk
Kenya / Kisumu 1 day | 0h

A Kisumu day trip combining Impala Park Sanctuary, Lake Victoria waterfront, Dunga Community Boardwalk and papyrus birding....

From 436.00 USD
Kisumu and Lake Victoria Birding Day Trip
Kisumu and Lake Victoria Birding Day Trip
Kenya / Kisumu 1 day | 0h

A Lake Victoria birding day trip from Kisumu focused on papyrus, swamp, lakeshore, farmland and Impala Park birds....

From 436.00 USD
Kenya Bird Watching Safari with Oluokos Signature
Kenya Bird Watching Safari with Oluokos Signature
Kenya / Nairobi Custom tour 14 days | 0h

A 14-day Kenya birdwatching safari linking Nairobi, Rift Valley lakes, Kakamega Forest, Western Kenya, Lake Victoria and the Maasai Mara....

From 14229.00 USD
14-Day Senegal and Gambia Combined Birdwatching Trip with Turaco Birding
14-Day Senegal and Gambia Combined Birdwatching Trip with Turaco Birding
The Gambia / Senegal and The Gambia Private tour 14 days | 0h

A combined 14-day Senegambia birdwatching trip linking Turaco Birding routes in The Gambia and Senegal....

From 0.00 USD
10-Day Senegal Birdwatching Trip with Turaco Birding
10-Day Senegal Birdwatching Trip with Turaco Birding
Senegal / Senegal Private tour 10 days | 0h

An all-inclusive 10-day Senegal birdwatching trip operated by Turaco Birding from its Senegambia birding program....

From 0.00 USD
10-Day Birdwatching Trip in The Gambia with Turaco Birding
10-Day Birdwatching Trip in The Gambia with Turaco Birding
The Gambia / The Gambia Private tour 10 days | 0h

An all-inclusive 10-day Turaco Birding trip through The Gambia for coastal, wetland, river and up-country birding....

From 0.00 USD
Birds and Breakfast at Lamin Lodge with Abuko Birding
Birds and Breakfast at Lamin Lodge with Abuko Birding
The Gambia / Lamin and Abuko Private tour 7h

An early Birds and Breakfast outing with coffee at Lamin Lodge, rice-field birding and Abuko Nature Reserve....

From 0.00 USD
Full-Day Gambia Birdwatching Trips with Turaco Birding
Full-Day Gambia Birdwatching Trips with Turaco Birding
The Gambia / Greater Banjul Coast Private tour 11h

A full-day Turaco Birding option from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM combining coastal forests, wetlands, creeks and woodland sites....

From 0.00 USD
Half-Day Coastal Birdwatching Trips with Turaco Birding
Half-Day Coastal Birdwatching Trips with Turaco Birding
The Gambia / Greater Banjul Coast Private tour 5.5h

A half-day private birdwatching option covering Abuko, Farasutu, Brufut Woods, Pirang/Bonto, Kartong, Kotu Creek or Marakissa....

From 0.00 USD
Tendaba and Basse 4-Day Birding Excursion with Turaco Birding
Tendaba and Basse 4-Day Birding Excursion with Turaco Birding
The Gambia / Tendaba and Basse Private tour 4 days | 0h

A four-day Turaco Birding route from the coast toward Tendaba and Basse for river, woodland and up-country birding....

From 0.00 USD
Southern Africa Birding Expedition: Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls
Southern Africa Birding Expedition: Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls
Namibia / Walvis Bay Group tour 18 days | 0h

This birdwatching journey through Namibia, the Okavango Delta, and Victoria Falls combines southern Africa’s most iconic landscapes with e...

From 10206.00 USD
12 Days Uganda Birding Tour – Bird Watching in Uganda
12 Days Uganda Birding Tour – Bird Watching in Uganda
Uganda / Entebbe Group tour 12 days | 0h

This 12-day Uganda Birding Tour is a comprehensive birdwatching safari covering the country’s most important habitats — lowland rainfore...

From 0.00 USD