We have many of the Americas tropical birds in the Lowcountry but the Limpkin is not one of them. A few have been seen, but they are also confused with juvenile Ibis so unless a photo the sightings are questionable.

These were found on the Florida East Coast.

Their official range is Florida to Argentina wetlands. The preferred prey is the Apple Snail, and other mollusks. We don’t have Apple Snails either.

Oh, they walk with a limp…hence the name.

Limpkins are related to Rails and Cranes. Interesting since some of these shots were taken within feet of Sandhill Cranes.

The limpkin is a fairly large bird, 64–73 cm (25–29 in) long, with a wingspan of 101–107 cm (40–42 in). (Wikipedia).

I’m told they have a strange call but I’ve never been able to relate a sound to the bird. I see them at best once a year.

Photographs taken at Viera Wetlands outside Melbourne, Florida.