Limpkin

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) is in the Limpkins family (Aramidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 18,099 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Limpkin: observations by month (U.S.)

About Limpkin

The limpkin (Aramus guarauna), also called carrao, courlan, and crying bird, is a bird that looks like a large rail but is skeletally closer to cranes. It is the only extant species in the genus Aramus and the family Aramidae. It is found mostly in wetlands in warm parts of the Americas, from Florida to northern Argentina. It feeds on molluscs, with the diet dominated by apple snails of the genus Pomacea. Its name derives from...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Limpkin by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ