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Comb-crested jacana
Kakadu is home to approximately 280 different
types of birds, including the comb-crested
jacana.

These birds are unique due to the bright red
combs on their foreheads as well as their
enormous splayed feet which creates the illusion
that they are ‘walking on water’.

The birds range from 20-24cm in size

Plants:

The types of plants found in a wetland depend on:
• Whether a wetland has mostly fresh, saline or brackish water
• Surface and underground drainage
• Frequency of flooding
• Other factors such as soil, temperature, rainfall and topography.

Kakadu wetlands are home to over 2000
plant species.

One of the most common plant species
found are water lilies. The roots of the lilies
can be dug up and used as a source of food.
They contain starchy seeds that can be
ground into a paste and made into small
cakes.

Biophysical interactions:
• Located in the tropics, between 12 and 14 degrees south of the Equator.

• Climate is monsoonal, with two main seasons: the dry season and the wet
season.
à Dry season: low humidity and low levels of rain
à Wet season: warm temperatures, higher levels of rain

• Annual rainfall is from approximately 1,300- 1,500mm of rain.

• Temperatures in the region range from 19 to 33 degrees, with the coldest
temperatures recorded in June, July and August.