The answer to the question “What wading bird is also called a courlan?” is the limpkin. The limpkin (Aramus guarauna) is a wading bird in the family Aramidae that is also commonly known as the courlan or crying bird.
The limpkin gets its name from its distinctive limping gait. Its scientific name Aramus guarauna comes from the Tupi (a South American indigenous people) words arama meaning macaw and una meaning black, referring to its similarities to the macaw in coloration. Limpkin likely refers to its limping walk, while courlan and crying bird refer to its loud territorial calls that sound like human wailing.
So in summary, the wading bird that is also called a courlan is the limpkin. It is a unique long-legged, long-necked bird found in wetlands primarily in Florida, parts of the Caribbean, and South America. Its crying vocalizations and limping gait make it easy to identify.
Description and Characteristics of the Limpkin
The limpkin is a large, long-legged wading bird reaching 25-28 inches (64-71 cm) in length and weighing 2-3 pounds (0.9-1.4 kg). Some key physical characteristics include:
– Long legs, neck, bill, and tail. Legs can reach 5 inches (13 cm) long.
– Plumage is drab grayish-brown overall with white spots and streaks on the wings.
– Bill is long, heavy, and slightly curved downwards. Bill color matches plumage color.
– Eyes are yellow with a red or orange orbital ring around them.
– Sexes are similar in plumage color but males are slightly larger.
– Juveniles have white spots on their backs.
The limpkin has unique skeletal anatomy that allows it to forage efficiently. The vertebrae in its neck have ball-and-socket joints that allow the neck to bend into an S-shape. This allows the limpkin to move its head back and forth to reach food while keeping its body still. Their skulls also have specialized pivoting bills that can reach into crevices and grab snails and mussels.
Habitat and Range
The limpkin inhabits wetlands and marshes with shallow, slow-moving water and abundant aquatic vegetation. Dense stands of cypress or mangroves are prime limpkin habitat. Their range includes:
– Florida – limpkins are found throughout the entire state.
– Caribbean islands – the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and scattered smaller islands.
– Mexico – along the Yucatan Peninsula and Gulf Coast.
– Central America – patchy distribution on Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
– South America – found discontinuously east of the Andes from Colombia and Venezuela to northern Argentina.
Behaviors
Limpkins are solitary birds that defend territories centered around nesting sites. They typically perch on tree branches, stumps, or other elevated spots and survey for food. Limpkins feed mainly on apple snails and mussels, using their specialized bills to extract the mollusks from their shells. This diet gives limpkin flesh a distinctive unpleasant odor and taste compared to other wading birds.
Courtship involves loud screaming duets between paired limpkins. Nests consist of a mound of sticks placed in dense shrubbery over shallow water. Limpkins lay 2-5 eggs that hatch after about 28 days. The young fledge at around 6 weeks old but may remain with the parents for an extended period as they learn to feed themselves.
Reasons for the Limpkin’s Names
As mentioned earlier, the limpkin goes by several common names including courlan and crying bird. There are some specific reasons why this wading bird earned these unique identifiers:
Courlan
There are a few theories regarding the origin of the name “courlan”:
– Onomatopoeia – comes from the sound of the limpkin’s cry which sounds like “cour-le-le-le-le”. Early French settlers called it the “courlan” based on its vocalizations.
– Corruption of “corliam” – possibly a Creole name derived from the Latin name for rails or crakes, which are a similar family.
– Named after Courland – a historical region in Eastern Europe. Some early specimens may have been exported via the Duchy of Courland.
Crying Bird
Limpkins get called the “crying bird” because of their loud, wailing vocalizations that sound eerily human-like:
– Territorial cries are a loud “keeow” or “wail-like screaming” that can carry over a mile.
– Sounds resemble a human cries or even a baby’s wails.
– Used for declaring territories and attracting mates – often done as duets between pairs.
– Can be heard at any time but most often at dawn, dusk, and night.
– Calls become more frequent during breeding season.
So in summary, the courlan and crying bird names for the limpkin come directly from its distinct vocal behavior. The names accurately reflect how the bird’s calls sound to human ears.
Identification Tips
Identifying the limpkin in the field can be tricky since it somewhat resembles other wading birds found in its wetland habitats. Here are some tips for proper identification:
Size and Shape
– About 25-28 inches long with a 39-41 inch wingspan. Long-legged with a long neck and extended bill.
– Larger and bulkier than a heron or egret. Longer legs than a night-heron or bittern.
– Often holds neck in an “S” curve while walking or swimming. Heavy bill held slightly down-turned.
Color Pattern
– Plumage is grayish-brown overall with some faint streaking on wings and neck.
– Underparts are pale gray fading to white on the chin and throat.
– Bill, eyes, and legs match the body color (grayish brown and yellow).
– Juveniles have white spotting on back feathers.
Behaviors
– Forages while wading slowly with a distinctive limping gait.
-Swims buoyantly with its head resting on its back.
– Often seen perched up in trees and shrubs scanning for food.
– Listen for a loud, wailing “cour-le-le-le” cry.
So in summary, look for a large, limping, long-legged wading bird with a curved bill foraging in shallow wetlands. Listen for its distinct crying vocalizations and watch for its unique neck-bending behavior.
Close Relatives
The limpkin has no extremely close relatives among living birds. Here are its closest family members:
Family Aramidae
– The limpkin is the only living member of the genus Aramus and subfamily Araminae.
– Most closely related to the subfamily Gruidinae which contains true cranes.
– In the past, limpkins were classified with cranes and rails.
Other Aramidae Species
– The limpkin family Aramidae also contained these extinct species:
– Aramus guarauna (giant limpkin) – larger extinct cousin of the modern species.
– Aramus longurio – lived in Cuba until about 10,000 years ago.
– Aramus paludigrus – found in Florida until the mid-1800s.
– Several other ancient Aramus species.
So while the modern limpkin has no close living relatives, it does have ties to ancient limpkins, cranes, and rails based on fossil evidence and genetic studies. Its closest affinity seems to be with the cranes.
Conservation Status
The limpkin has a relatively stable population though its specialized habitat requirements make it vulnerable:
Population
– Global population estimated at 150,000-200,000 individuals.
– Population trend currently stable and numbers are increasing in some regions.
IUCN Red List Status
– Currently classified as Least Concern.
– Has a large range and population size.
Threats
– Wetland drainage and alteration reduces nesting habitat.
– Water level changes impact availability of mollusk prey.
– Drought causes localized declines related to prey and habitat loss.
– Climate change may affect future water availability in its range.
Conservation Actions
– Protect wetlands throughout its range.
– Control water levels near nesting sites.
– Monitor limpkin populations as a wetland quality indicator.
So while still relatively common, habitat loss is an important threat facing the limpkin. Continued wetland conservation will be vital for the future of this unique wading bird.
Fun Facts About the Limpkin
Beyond its unusual names, the limpkin exhibits some odd traits and little known behaviors:
– Has very acidic stomach juices to help digest snail shells – pH rivaling that of vultures.
– Often defecates on its own legs to cool them on hot days – white feces provide a natural sunscreen.
– Males and females look identical – only can be told apart by size or DNA testing.
– Uses “gular fluttering” to release excess heat – vibrates throat muscles to dissipate heat.
– Young limpkins will wander and beg food from unrelated adults.
– Native Americans used limpkin feathers to decorate tribal clothing.
– Limpkin bones were once used to make necklaces in the Caribbean.
– Features in various Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban folklore and mythology.
So the limpkin has some fascinating biological quirks as well as cultural significance – a very unique wading bird indeed!
Conclusion
In summary, the wading bird known as the limpkin, courlan, or crying bird is the species Aramus guarauna. It gets these names from its limping gait and wailing territorial calls. Limpkins are found throughout Florida, the Caribbean, and parts of Central/South America in wetland habitats. They feed on apple snails and mussels using specialized anatomical adaptations. While still relatively common, habitat loss threatens the future of these remarkable wetland birds. The limpkin remains steeped in myth and folklore as it patrols swamps with its unmistakable cry.
