Limpkin
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[Photo] Limpkin - Viera Wetlands - South Central Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, Viera, Florida, USA. Date June 17, 2006. Photo by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Fl295

The Limpkin (common names: courlan, crying bird), Aramus guarauna, is a bird that looks like a large rail, but is skeletally closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes with some trees or scrub in the Caribbean, South America and southern Florida, USA. Its name comes from the seeming limp of the Limpkin when it walks.[2]

The Limpkin is a largish bird 66 cm (26in) long, 100 cm (40in) wingspan), drably plumaged brown with a greyer head and neck. It has long legs and neck, and a long, yellowish bill. It feeds on small aquatic life, principally snails.

This unobtrusive bird nests on the ground laying about six eggs. It has a loud wailing nocturnal call.

This species is related to the cranes, but is placed in its own family.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limpkin

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