Limpkin

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Limpkin
Conservation status
Least concern (LC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Gruiformes Family: Aramidae Bonaparte, 1849 Genus: Aramus Vieillot, 1816 Species: A. guarauna
Binomial name
Aramus guarauna (Linnaeus, 1766)

The Limpkin, Aramus guarauna, is a bird that 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 66 cm (26in) long, 100 cm (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.

[edit] References

• BirdLife International (2004). Aramus guarauna. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
• "National Geographic" Field Guide to the Birds of North America ISBN 0-7922-6877-6

[edit] External link

• Limpkin videos on the Internet Bird Collection