Laura Erickson's For the Birds

This bird, once in danger because of its dependence on the declining apple snails found in the Florida Everglades, is doing well now that an invasive exotic apple snail (one very destructive of sawgrass and other essential vegetation of the Everglades) has taken over. Florida’s exotic pet trade is to blame, but at least Limpkins and Snail Kites are benefitting, for now. I’ve also seen Limpkins devouring bivalves now, so they seem to be expanding their food preferences a bit, which may be why individuals have been appearing in many new locations, including in the Upper Midwest, in the past few years.

The Limpkin is the only species in the family Aramidae. Cranes are its closest relatives.