jacana

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Wading bird with very long toes and claws enabling it to walk on the floating leaves of water plants. There are seven species. Jacanas are found in Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, South Asia, and Australia, usually in marshy areas. (Family Jacanidae, order Charadriiformes.)

The Australian jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) is so well adapted to life on water that the eggs are laid on floating vegetation and can themselves float.

The flag uses the pan-African colours in a striking design. Effective date: 10 June 1991. >>