English            -           Limpkin

Portuguese    -           Carão

Latin                -           Aramus guarauna

I first saw this Limpkin at REGUA (Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu) I saw it a couple of times in the wetlands (yellow trail) at the reserve but in all cases it was at a distance. Seemed to be very shy and could only photograph it from a along way away. It wasn’t until I went to the Pantanal that I managed to get some close up shots of the Limpkin. They seem to be an abundant species in the Pantanal and saw them on a regular basis. Both photos were taken along MS 184 which is a long straight dirt road in the heart of the Pantanal. I think It’s quite a strange looking bird and an easy bird to spot because it’s quite a big bird but also there is nothing that really resembles it.

* The Limpkin is the only extant species in the genus Aramus and the family Aramidae.

*  They can get up to 73 cm in length, with a wingspan just over 1 metre. They can weigh up to 1,3 kgs.

* Males and females look alike but the male is slightly larger.

* They are found in the extreme southeastern United States through the Greater Antilles and down through Mexico to Argentina.

* They live in habitats such as woody freshwater swamps and marshes.

* Limpkin feeds mainly on freshwater large apple snails but also mussels, lizards, frogs, insects, crustaceans and worms.

* Males gives loud “kyaoh-kyaoh”, a rolling “krrrrh” or “kerr-rr-rr-owh”, a shorter “kyow” or “kaah”, and when disturbed, a sharp “bihk-bihk”. Female is relatively silent. She may utter a short “gon”, used in response to mate’s calls or intrusions. 

* Female lays 5 to 7 eggs, which are incubated for up to 28 days. Chicks fledge after 13 week. They can have up 3 broods a year.

* They perform a broken-wing display if necessary to distract predators away from a nest site.

* The Limpkin is not globally threatened. Locally common with extensive distribution. Therefore they are classified as a species “of least concern”. They do have however many natural and man made threats. Adults are preyed upon by alligators. Eggs are eaten by snakes, crows, raccoons and other aquatic mammals. They also have to contend with habitat loss of wetland converted to agriculture. Pollution of fresh water habitats. Invasive exotic aquatic plants which degrade their natural prey in rivers and lakes.