Adults are black and chestnut-brown, with pale yellow-green flight feathers that contrast conspicuously when a bird flies.

The dark colors are somewhat darker on the juvenile wattled jacana than on the northern.

[4] For the etymology and pronunciation of Jacana, see the family article.

Together the species occur in marshes in the American tropics and subtropics.

[4] As in most other jacanas, males build the nests, incubate, and brood the chicks.