The Limpkin is a strange, large wading bird of Florida and the Caribbean whose only relative is the cranes. It has spectacularly expanded its range northward since the 2000s as the invasive apple snail — its primary prey — spread through southeastern wetlands. Its shrill, wailing calls are haunting sounds of Florida marshes and swamps. The brown, white-spotted body is distinctive.
Best time to see a Limpkin
The best time to see a Limpkin is December–May, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 17,875 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Limpkin? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Limpkin sightings near you
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