Limpkin
Adult
Tall, long-legged bird of marshes and swampy forests with a long neck and a long and heavy yellowish bill. Brown overall with white spotting on the back and sides.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 13, 2011Adult
Uses the long and heavy bill to break apart the shells of apple snails, its primary food source.
© Alex Lamoreaux | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, July 19, 2016Adult and Juvenile
An Apple Snail specialist, Limpkins use their strong decurved bills to pry open these snails before eating them. Other food items taken include frogs, lizards, crustaceans, worms, and aquatic insects.
© Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 01, 2007Not all videos have soundAdult/immature
Long and heavy yellowish bill used to open apple snails. Long neck is streaked in white giving it an overall pale appearance.
© Shelley Rutkin | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, June 23, 2016Adult/immature
Large. Brown overall with a long, pale neck and a long, heavy bill. Walks on top of floating mats of vegetation as well as up branches leaning over water.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibrarySucumbíos, February 15, 2016Adult/immature
Typically inhabits freshwater marshes, swamp forests, and pond or lake shores.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 22, 2014Not all videos have soundAdult and juvenile
Juvenile is similar to adult, but with narrower spots, which makes them look more streaked than spotted.
© Camille Merrell | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, August 20, 2016Juvenile
By two weeks of age, young birds begin to show foraging behavior, but are not able to feed themselves efficiently until five weeks of age.
© Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 01, 2007Not all videos have soundAdult/immature
Limpkins have shallow wingbeats when flying—the upward strokes are quick and "snappy," while the downstrokes are slower. Flies with head and neck extended with legs trailing behind.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 22, 2014Not all videos have sound