Saving Florida
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This mysterious bird is a staple for tourist birdwatchers in Florida. They are known as crying birds because of their strange wailing cries that they often emit at dawn and dusk. The name Limpkin is thought to be derived from their “limping” walk created by long legs and big feet. The presence of a limpkin can sometimes be seen by mounding of snail shells along edges of water bodies. They are shy and often hard to approach for photography and observation.

Other names: Crying Bird

Conservation Status: Currently listed as a Species of Special Concern in Florida, listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN red list.

Size: Length 22” Wingspan 42”

Diet: Largely consists of the Florida Apple Snail (Pomacea paludosa). It shares this preferred diet with the Endangered Florida Snail Kite. Incidentally, the Apple Snail’s future is also in jeopardy as exotic snails have taken over their natural habitats.

Range: In Florida the Limpkin is sporadically seen in North Florida, and commonly seen in Central and South Florida.

Habitat: Often found in freshwater mangroves, swamps, edges of agricultural areas, marshes and springs. In suburban and sometimes urban areas they can be found wandering around retention ponds and ditches.

Nesting and Breeding: The Limpkin's nesting and breeding habits haven’t been well documented. It is believed that they use a wide variety of sites for nesting (see Florida Natural Areas Inventory) including mounds of aquatic vegetation and marsh grasses, cypress knees, and also high in trees. In my personal experience I have seen them nest on the edge of wetlands in tall reeds. FNAI believes that nesting occurs in Late February –May in North Florida and Late January-March in Central Florida. They may nest earlier in South Florida. Brood sizes are unknown. Personally I have seen a clutch of three.

References:

United States Geological Survey. Limpkin. Accessed at http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/fram1st/i2070id.html

Florida Natural Areas Inventory. Field Guide to the Rare Animals of Florida. “Limpkin”. 2001. Accessed .pdf file at http://www.fnai.org/Fieldguide/pdf/Aramus_guarauna.pdf

By Jamie Drake

Jamie Drake is a full time student, amateur photographer, and serious advocate of conservation of Florida and North American natural resources. Her special interests include the Northern Caracara, Limpkin, and in finding ways for nature to thrive even through the rapid urbanization of Florida.
Visit her websites to learn more: http://www.fieldguideflorida.com