The family Aramidae has a single member: Aramus guarauna known as Limpkin or Carrao. Limpkins look like a large rail, but are skeletally closer to cranes. They are found mostly in wetlands in warm parts of the Americas. It feeds on molluscs, with the diet dominated by apple snails of the genus Pomacea. The males are slightly larger than the females in size, but there is no difference in plumage. It has long, dark-gray legs and a long neck. Its bill is long and heavy, yellowish bill with a darker tip. The bill is slightly open near the base, but not at the end
of it giving it a tweezers-like action in removing snails from their shells. In many individuals the tip curves slightly to the right, like the apple snails’ shells. Its wings are broad and rounded and its tail is short. Limpkins are largely nocturnal and crepuscular and are usually found near cover. Because of their long toes, they can stand on floating water plants. They fly strongly with, the neck projecting forward and the legs backward. The wings beats are shallow and stiffly, with a jerky upstroke. Photo: Limpkin.
ACCIPITRIDAE: Kites, Hawks & Eagles – Gavilanes, Aguiluchos & Aguilas