Limpkin
Aramus guarauna
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) — Cranes & Rails of North America.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) is a member of the Aramidae family found in Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. Adults weigh 1.1 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Aramidae Limpkin
- Genus Aramus
- Species guarauna
Where it lives
Southeastern USA to Argentina
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.1 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Aramidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Limpkin hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Limpkin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) is a member of the Aramidae family, within the order Gruiformes. It occurs naturally across Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. Its distribution covers NA, MA, SA se USA to Argentina.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.1 kg, with a wing length of about 24.1 cm and a tail of around 22.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 12.2 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Limpkin?
The Limpkin is a very large bird that weighs around 1.1 kg.
Where does the Limpkin live?
The Limpkin is found across Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America with a range covering NA, MA, SA se USA to Argentina, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Limpkin belong to?
The Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) belongs to the Aramidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Limpkin eat?
The Limpkin hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Limpkin migrate?
The Limpkin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Limpkin endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Limpkin make?
1 real field recording of the Limpkin — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Limpkin's range?
The Limpkin has a mapped global range of about 12.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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