A recent photograph showcases a mother Pheasant-tailed jacana bird tenderly shielding her chicks under her wings. This protective behavior is characteristic of the species, which uses its wings to safeguard its young from danger, as well as from inclement weather.
The Pheasant-tailed jacana is identifiable by its elongated toes and nails, adaptations that enable it to walk on floating vegetation in shallow water bodies. This unique ability has earned it the nickname 'Jesus bird,' referencing the biblical figure who walked on water.
These birds primarily feed on small insects and invertebrates found in their aquatic habitats. The species exhibits a polyandrous mating system, where a single female mates with and maintains a group of multiple males. Typically, the male jacanas undertake the majority of parental responsibilities, including nest construction, egg incubation, and chick rearing.
The images capturing this mother bird with her hidden chicks were taken by Arpan Hanra at a lake in Purba Bardhaman, located in West Bengal, India.