Long Toes

African Jacana Chick Actophilornis africanus

This little fellow is approximately 2 weeks old and stands about 125mm (5 inches) high. He is all toes!

These chicks are hatched from eggs laid in a nest built on floating vegetation and spend their lives in fresh-water margins. They favour water surfaces covered by water-lilies. Interestingly, the male incubates and takes over all parental duties once the last egg is laid.

This image was captured on the Chobe River, near Kasane, Northern Botswana, Southern Africa.

This image was awarded winner of the Sunday Times Wildlife Photograph of the Month for the month of April 2014.