As for whether the pheasant-tailed jacana is known as the caltrop bird because it is often seen among the floating leaves of the caltrop plants, or because its long neck and uplifted tail give it the appearance of a water caltrop, no one can say for sure.
至於是因為常在菱角浮葉上活動而被稱為菱角鳥，或長長的頸子加上時時揚起的尾巴，讓外型因此就似一枚菱角而得名？已不可考。