Limpkin

Limpkin
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Gruiformes Family: Aramidae

The Limpkin is an odd bird which looks like a large rail, but is skeletally closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes with some trees or scrub in the Caribbean, South America and southern Florida, USA.

The Limpkin is a largish bird (26in long, 40in wingspan), drably plumaged brown with a greyer head and neck. It has long legs and neck, and a long yellowish bill . It feeds on small aquatic life, principally snails.

This unobtrusive bird nests on the ground laying about six eggs. It has a loud wailing call.

This species is related to the cranes, but is placed in its own family; relationships are shown below:

Order: Gruiformes

• Gruidae: cranes
• Aramidae
  • Limpkin, Aramus guarauna
• Psophiidae: trumpeters
• Rallidae: rails and crakes
• Heliornithidae: finfoots and sungrebes
• Rhynochetidae: Kagu
• Eurypigidae: Sunbittern
• Cariamidae: seriemas
• Otidae: bustards