Koldjalg-sultantait, Porphyrio martinicus

Ameerika kontinendi troopilises vöötmes elutsev Koldjalg-sultantait eelistab elupaigana soiseid alasid. Tema pikkade varvastega jalad on ideaalsed ujuvate taimede peal kõndimiseks ning muda sees sumpamiseks. Ka sultantaidi pesa on ehitatud vee peale - hundinuiadest, rohust ja pilliroost punutud parveke on ankurdatud kindlalt veetaimede külge. Ning see veesilm ei saa olla lihtsalt üks suvaline lomp, vaid peab olema vähemalt pool meetrit sügav. Fotod tehtud Caño Negro kaitsealal, Costa Ricas.

Purple Gallinule is found in the tropics of the American continent and it prefers marshy areas as habitat. Its extremely long toes are perfect for walking on top of floating vegetation and in mud. Nest is also built on water - it is a platform of cattails, grasses, sedges, firmly anchored to standing marsh vegetation. And it cannot be any other small puddle - the water has to be at least 50cm deep.  The photos are taken in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica.