When will Limpkins arrive in Texas?

When will Limpkins arrive in Texas? This question has been on the mind of some ornithologists and birders alike, for some time.

Limpkin Appearance and ID Tips

A Limpkin is a medium sized wading bird with characteristics of herons, cranes and ibises. Despite their appearance, Limpkins are the only member of the taxonomy, Aramidae. Limpkins (Aramus guarauna) are a tropical species inhabiting freshwater wetlands, flooded woodlands, swamps, slow moving creeks and sloughs. The Limpkin is about two feet tall with a wingspread of about 40 inches. Limpkins have a strong yellowish bill, are brown overall in color and dappled with white streaks that tend to be denser on the neck than the body.

The bill of a Limpkin is highly adapted to extracting the flesh of its primary food source – Apple Snails. The bill is slightly decurved down and sometimes to the right to allow for easy entry into the right hand turn of the shell of its prey.

Limpkin Range

Limpkin populations are most common in the Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula, Central America and a large portion of South America. A small but stable population exists in Florida and north in Georgia and scarce in the Carolinas. Observers have recorded sightings and breeding birds as far west as Louisiana in recent years. Limpkins are not migratory however in South America they move during the dry seasons to more favorable habitat.

Limpkins Diet

The dietary preference may be the key to the answer to the question – When will Limpkins arrive in Texas? The native Florida Apple Snail (Pomacea paludosa) is the primary source of food for Limpkins in Florida. However the proliferation a South American invasive Apple snail (Pomacea maculata) may be the key to the expansion of the Limpkin’s range westward. A population of Pomacea maculata established in Louisiana and Southeast Texas and is expanding. This food opportunity seems to be the driving factor in the expansion of the Limpkin’s range.

Limpkins in Texas

So. When will Limpkins arrive in Texas? The answer is, they are here! In early May 2021 reports of Limpkin sightings started coming in. Observers have been seeing the birds on private property adjacent to Brazos Bend State Park in Ft Bend County Texas. The habitat in and surrounding the state park was perfect for the Limpkins. Flooded woodlands and swamp and most of all a copious supply of Apple snails.

I finally made some time to run over to the area that had the most sightings recently. My reward was a view of some of the first Limpkins in Texas. There have been reports of three individuals in the area, and photo evidence of at least two. I only saw one individual during my search. When I photographed the bird it was pretty far away. However I may try to get back there again soon to get some better (closer) quality images. I observed the single individual feeding on Apple snails multiple times while I was on site.

Although the invasive apple snails are highly undesirable in Texas, they seems to be drawing the attention of the Limpkins. Maybe they will help with effort to limit the spread of the snail (unlikely).

The next question is, since Snail Kites feed almost entirely on apple snails, when will the Snail Kites show up in Texas? Records do exists for Snail Kites in Texas, however they are limited to a scant few. The last record that I know of was from Harris County in the summer of 2011. UPDATE: An immature Snail Kite was confirmed by MANY observers beginning July 23, 2022 at Lake Sommerville – Lee County, Texas. Here’s a link https://ebird.org/checklist/S115665489

Update: Saw and imaged this bird on Dec 04, and Dec 10, 2022 near Armand Bayou. About 2 miles from my house. Very close to home.

Update: One seen on Aug 08, 2022 in the Armand Bayou Nature Center at the convergence of Armand Bayou and Horsepen Bayou. Very close to home.

Update: From a reader/commenter: “Add Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge to the list as well. Spotted and photographed there today 23-Jul-2022 and reported through eBird”

Update: A birder reported another Limpkin sighting at Anahuac NWR in Chambers county Texas on July 09, 2021. Details here.

Another Update: The invasion broadens. Two Limpkins were recorded at Sheldon Lake SP in Harris county Texas on July 18, 2021. Details here.

More Updates: Barton Creek (Austin), Cullinan Park (Sugarland), Timber Creek (near Lewisville), Village Creek Drying Beds (near Arlington) and San Bernard NWR Hudson Woods Unit (near Angleton)

Keep your eyes to the sky!

For more Texas Bird posts and images go to “Birds I have Known”