jacana
noun
ja·ca·na
jə-ˈkä-nə 
ˌzha-sə-ˈnaⁿ
ˌzha-sə-ˈnaⁿ
: any of a family (Jacanidae) of long-legged and long-toed tropical wading birds that frequent coastal freshwater marshes and ponds
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Her favorite specimen in her studio is an African jacana that earned her the incredible distinction of third place at the 2017 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships.
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Damona Hoffman, Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2019
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Damona Hoffman, Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Jacana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jacana. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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