Daily Archives: July 25, 2022

Wattled Jacana

Wattled Jacana: Panama Canal, Gamboa, Panama (near Canopy Tower), July 2022 — The Wattled Jacana is primarily a South American bird, with a range east of the Andes, but it reaches its northern limits in Panama. There are apparently two forms, not separated by location, but rather by “population”. This is the black-backed variety. There is also a chestnut-backed variety that looks more like a Northern Jacana. Both have the distinctive red “wattle” above the yellow beak, and the yellow underside of the wings…as well as the bright yellow bone spur or spike at the angle of the wing. The theory is that the spike is used for defense. You can see the spike in the photo with the wings extended. We saw Jacanas everywhere from our small boat on the Panama Canal, walking on the water plants in the shallows. We were able to drift up quite close. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 1000 and 640 @ f4 @ 1/500th.