A rare tropical waterbird, the northern jacana, has made an unexpected appearance at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, creating a buzz among bird enthusiasts. Confirmed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday, the bird was observed foraging at Pintail Lakes 5, approximately a mile from the visitor center. Known for attracting rare species due to its unique subtropical ecosystem, the Santa Ana refuge is located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Described as a rare visitor from Mexico in a public announcement, the adult northern jacana stands out with its dark chestnut-brown body, black head and neck, and distinct bright yellow markings on its bill and forehead. Its long, splayed toes enable it to move gracefully over lily pads and other aquatic plants while hunting insects and small aquatic creatures.
This marks the first confirmed sighting at Santa Ana since November 2016. Typically found in lowland wetlands from western Panama to coastal Mexico, northern jacanas are considered occasional visitors to the U.S., with about two dozen sightings reported in Texas, primarily during fall and winter. Historically, a stable breeding population existed at Maner Lake in Brazoria County until the early 1970s, but habitat disruptions led to their decline.
On Sunday, San Antonio birder Ardell Winters was drawn to the area by reports of the jacana. His visit to the refuge, despite initially missing the bird, rewarded him with an observation of the jacana foraging along the lake’s edge. He noted the bird’s long toes and its ability to navigate the watery environment, describing the experience as mesmerizing.
The presence of the northern jacana highlights the significance of Santa Ana as a crucial habitat for tropical and migratory birds, many of which find their northernmost range in this region. eBird data shows jacanas prefer shallow marshes with floating vegetation, rarely inhabiting dense aquatic plant areas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service advises visitors to practice ethical wildlife viewing, maintaining distance and avoiding disruptive behavior.
The jacana sighting follows other notable bird observations in Texas, including a double-striped thick-knee found in South Texas and a snail kite in Fort Bend County, emphasizing Texas’s role in attracting rare bird species.
