jacana
/ˈdʒakənə
/(also jaçana /ˌdʒasəˈnɑː/)
noun
A small tropical wading bird with greatly elongated toes and claws that enable it to walk on floating vegetation. Also called lily-trotter.
- Family Jacanidae: several genera and species.
- For decades, taxonomists couldn't agree whether to classify jacanas with rails or shorebirds; genetic studies now appear to confirm the latter.
- When we came around the other side of the pond, someone spotted a jacana walking across the lily pads.
Origin
Mid 18th century: from Portuguese jaçanã, from Tupi-Guarani jasanã.