The Limpkin is one of the birds found within the tropics of the New World. It has the features of an ibis, or an anatomy resembling that of a crane as well as sharing lots of behavioral characteristics with a rail. These birds appear as a connecting link between the rails and cranes, with recent DNA research placing them closer to the finfoots and the sungrebes. They usually live in seclusion, but in pairs. Since they make cries that are very distinct and peculiar, both at night and day, they are called ‘crying birds’. Their main trait is being great skulkers while it is very hard to make them fly. Once they are flying it is only for a couple of meters prior to dropping into their shelter once more. They have rapid running capability with a mincing gait that is rather peculiar.

It has been termed as a rather unique and remarkable bird found in North America, since it has distinct appearance, extraordinary calls as well as a unique diet. The nesting sites are unusually varied with the feeding being courtship and ritualistic all in one, with a mix of polyandry and monogamy.

Between 1855 and 1935, the Limpkin was thought to be of two species, but the idea has changed as the agreement is that it is one species but varied. The two main types of Limpkin are those found in South America, which maintain unmarked wings and backs that are dark brown, while those Limpkins found in Northern America, for example in Florida, have unique wings and backs having white spots all over their bodies.

Their de-curved bill has a gap at the periphery, which is rather odd and shared by only a few other types of birds around the world, such as the storks. The de-curved bill is largely for foraging those apple snails that are rightly handed, which is the chief diet upon which it depends. The curve of the bill is found around the tip because of the many times it inserts it into snails, with the upper tip very sharp with a knife look that is possibly for cutting the attaching muscles of the snail. The bird largely lives by apple snails, just like the Snail Kite.

‘Limpkin’ is an English name derived from their trait deciphered as a limping gait as much as many claim they have never seen them limp.

The general view is that they are not good fliers and as much as they seem weird they have qualities that make them rather interesting in their habitat. Apart from living close to thick water lilies their awkward demeanor hides a known truth. The Limpkin in truth is a very strong flier as well as a flamboyant swimmer and more realistically, one of the fastest birds in terms of running. It has been ascertained that being one of the few birds that excels in speed, sometimes even the best dogs cannot catch them. It is what many believe ‘Limpkin’ is all about.