GRUIFORMES of The World
The order Gruiformes contains a considerable number of living and extinct bird families with little in common. In fact, birds have been placed in this order just because it was not clear where else to put them! The rails, cranes, and limpkin are related and are considered part of the true Guiformes. However, the Bustards are unrelated to these true Guiformes.
Limpkins
Order Gruiformes Family Aramidae - 1 genus
This family only has one species. It is found mostly in wetlands in warm parts of the Americas, from Florida to northern Argentina. It feeds on mollusks. The male and females look alike, however the males are slightly larger. The limpkin's call is loud and scream-like.
Genus Aramus - 1 species
Limpkin Aramus guarauna Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3, 6) Dick Daniels - Lake Okeechobee, Florida 5, 7) Dick - Lake Okeechobee 4) Leppyone 8) Adubin
7) With an Osprey 8) Juvenile
Order Gruiformes Family Psophiidae - 1 genus
This family has 3 species. They are named for the trumpeting call of the males. They are dumpy birds with long necks and legs and curved bills and a hunched posture. Their heads are small, but their eyes are relatively large, making them look "good-natured".
Genus Psophia - 1 species
Trumpeter, Gray-winged Psophia crepitans Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 2) Dick - the Jacksonville Zoo, Florida
Order Cariamae Family Cariamidae
The Cariamidae family only contains one species, the Red-legged Seriema. This family was previously considered to be part of the Gruiformes order, which has traditionally contained many unrelated species for lack of a better place. Some want to place the Red-legged Seriema in a new order, Cariamae.
Genus Cariama - 1 species
Seriema, Red-legged also Crested Seriema Cariama cristata Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo 2) Dick - Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo
3) Dick - Jacksonville Zoo 4) Dario Sanches - Brazil
All photos on this site are available for general use. Please credit the photographer. Some images have additional constraints such as no commercial use or no modifications. Click the photo credit link for details. Dick Daniels, webmaster.