Limpkins
Looking like something between a crane and a rail, this odd wading bird
has no close relatives. It is widespread in the American tropics, but
enters our area only in Florida, where it can satisfy its dietary
requirement for a certain freshwater snail. Mostly solitary, Limpkins
may be overlooked as they stalk about in marshes and swamps, but they
certainly draw attention with their piercing banshee wails, often heard
at dawn or at night. Its cry is a piercing, repeated wail, kree-ow,
kra-ow, etc., etc., especially at night and on cloudy days.A large spotted swamp wader, it stands about 28 inches tall. The Limpkin is found in open freshwater marshes, along the shores of ponds and lakes, and in wooded swamps along rivers and near springs. Limpkin's favorite food is large apple snails (genus Pomacea). In Florida, it also eats other kinds of snails and mussels; sometimes insects, crustaceans, worms, frogs, lizards.
» Length: 22 inches Wingspan: 42 inches
» Large long-necked long-legged wading bird; with neck extended in flight
» Long, slightly decurved bill with yellowish-orange base and dark tip
» Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking a high-stepping gait
» Dark brown plumage
» Head, neck, and underparts streaked extensively with white
» Back and upperwing coverts have bold white spots and streaks
» Immature similar to adult, but paler
» White-streaked underwing coverts visible in flight
» Sexes similar
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