Rajshahi University ponds emerge as unique sanctuary for rare pheasant-tailed jacanas
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A pair of pheasant-tailed jacanas, locally known as “jolmoyur,” were observed performing an intricate aerial display over a pond near Begum Rokeya Hall at Rajshahi University last Wednesday. Distinguished by their striking white wings, golden-brown necks, and distinct black throat markings, the birds showcased the unique plumage that has long fascinated ornithologists and nature enthusiasts alike.
The sighting provided a rare glimpse into the complex breeding behaviors of the species, as detailed by Inam Al Haque, founder of the Bangladesh Bird Club, who observed the birds alongside Rajshahi University zoology professor A.M. Saleh Reza and other conservationists. According to Al Haque, the species undergoes a dramatic physical transformation during its May-to-September breeding season, characterized by the emergence of exceptionally long tail feathers in both sexes—an appendage that molts once the season concludes.
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The reproductive strategy of the pheasant-tailed jacana defies conventional avian norms, with the burden of incubation falling entirely on the male. Once the male constructs a floating nest atop lily pads or aquatic vegetation, he awaits a female partner. Upon mating, the female lays her eggs and promptly moves on, often seeking out other males to repeat the process. This behavior, Al Haque explains, is an evolutionary adaptation to the harsh realities of their environment. With predators ranging from snakes and monitor lizards in the water to birds of prey in the sky, the survival rate of the hatchlings is perilous.
By distributing her eggs across multiple nests tended by different males, a single female can produce up to twelve chicks per season, significantly increasing the probability that at least a few will reach maturity. Al Haque notes that while the male is a diligent and protective parent, he remains discerning; if the courtship period is deemed insufficient, he will refuse to incubate the eggs. Of the eight species in this family found worldwide, the university campus also hosts the bronze-winged jacana, though that variety has yet to be recorded breeding at this location.
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As dusk settled over the campus, the atmosphere became alive with the sounds of other local fauna, including the calls of night herons and common moorhens. For those documenting the biodiversity of Rajshahi University, the sight of the jacanas serves as a poignant reminder of the area’s ecological significance. Traveler and conservationist Tareq Anu suggested that while Jahangirnagar University is widely celebrated as a sanctuary for birds, Rajshahi University possesses the natural assets and potential to secure a similar reputation as a vital refuge for avian life.
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