Comb-crested Jacana

The Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea can walk on water (or at least, on floating vegetation). It is a native of the tropical north and east of Australia, Borneo and the Philippines, living on freshwater bodies amongst the lotuses and water lilies. This one was photographed at Fogg Dam in the Northern Territory.

They have extremely long toes and weigh well under 100 g, allowing them to simply stride across the water, skipping from water lily leaf to water lily leaf, catching insects and pecking at seeds. They even build their nests on the floating vegetation.

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QUIZ UPDATE: The results of the quiz about the park bench have been added to the post. The winner on points is Lapre Delaforge.