Jacanas are found in tropical areas around the world. There are eight species of birds in this family: the lesser jacana, the African jacana, the Madagascar jacana, the northern jacana, the comb-crested jacana, the bronze-winged jacana, the pheasant-tailed jacana, and the wattled jacana.

They are wading birds and have long legs and large feet with four long toes that help them walk on aquatic vegetation. Jacanas eat insects and other invertebrates.

The northern jacana and the wattled jacana are found in Central and South America. The northern jacana can be found as far north as southern Texas.