Jacanas - Rails - Crakes - Gallinules

Manuel Antonio National Park is home to a variety of water-associated birds, including Jacanas (Jacanidae), Rails (Rallidae), Crakes (Rallidae), and Gallinules (Rallidae), all of which inhabit the park's wetlands, marshes, and coastal habitats. Jacanas, known for their long toes and remarkable ability to walk on floating vegetation, are often seen foraging for insects and seeds in shallow waters. Rails and Crakes, typically elusive and secretive, are found in dense vegetation near water, where they feed on small invertebrates, seeds, and aquatic plants. Gallinules, with their distinctive frontal shields and long legs, are commonly seen in the park’s wetlands, where they forage for aquatic invertebrates and plants. Together, these species help maintain the ecological balance of the park's wetland ecosystems by controlling insect populations and facilitating seed dispersal, while their presence highlights the diversity of avian life in Manuel Antonio National Park.