NCI 2024
    Groups
    Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Myxini – Hagfishes Petromyz' – Lampreys Sharks & rays Animals Holocep' – Chimaeras Ray-finned fishes Dipneusti – Lungfish Gastropoda – Snails & slugs Coelac' – Coelacanths Insecta – Insects / bugs Arachnida – Spiders & scorpions Malacostraca – Malacostracans Diplopoda – Millipedes Bivalvia – Marine molluscs Cephalopoda – Squids & octopuses Chilopoda – Centipedes Pycnogonida – Sea spiders Merostomata – Horseshoe crabs More Classes
    Filters

    Regions

    See AllSelect

    Habitat

    See AllSelect

    Aramidae – Limpkin

    Limpkin has many names like carrao, courlan, and crying bird – mainly associated with their gate or loud calls

    A unique lineage within the avian world, represented solely by the Limpkin (Aramus guarauna). This singular species resembles cranes and rails, but it is distinct enough to warrant its own family. Found primarily in the Americas, from the southeastern United States through parts of Central America and down into South America, the Limpkin is a bird deeply associated with wetland habitats.

    The Limpkin is a medium-sized bird characterized by its long legs, which facilitate wading in shallow waters, and its rounded wings, adapted for short bursts of flight. The bill of the Limpkin is particularly specialized. Its unique shape, curving downward and to the right, is an evolutionary adaptation that enables the bird to forage effectively for its primary prey, apple snails. The slight gap at the tip of the bill functions like tweezers, allowing the Limpkin to extract snails from their shells with remarkable skill.

    The plumage of the Limpkin is predominantly brown with streaking, providing camouflage among the reeds and vegetation of its habitat. The bird’s name, Limpkin, is derived from its somewhat awkward gait, which resembles a limp when it walks on land.

    One of the most notable features of the Limpkin is its vocalization. The bird’s loud, wailing calls are unmistakable, often described as haunting or mournful. These calls can carry long distances and are typically used at night, contributing to Limpkin’s charisma and popularity among sound designers and music producers.

    Limpkins are generally found in freshwater wetlands, marshes, and mangrove swamps, where they forage among floating vegetation and shallow waters. They strongly prefer habitats with a ready supply of apple snails, which constitute the bulk of their diet.

    The Limpkin’s wings, which are sickle-shaped and brownish, produce a distinctive winnowing sound when flapping. This sound is not incidental; it is believed to be used for communication, particularly during the breeding season when establishing and defending territory is critical.