August 30 – BOTD – Limpkin

Here is my entry for Granny Shot It’s  Bird of the Day (BOTD) challenge.

The Limpkin is a perfect example of why the Endangered Species Act needs to stay strong. Sorry, I’m going to get political on you for a minute. If you are an American, please help protect birds like this by asking members of Congress to stand up for the Endangered Species Act by going to the Audubon Action Center. The Limpkin was near extinction at the turn of the 20th century, but is starting to come back, thriving in Florida. Currently, they are legally protected.

Ok, so back to the Limpkin. When I started birding, I chased after this bird for 2 years without a siting. It was when I was visiting my friend, Morgan in Wesley Chapel, Florida that I spotted my first Limpkin. There wasn’t just one Limpkin, we were honored to observe a family of 6. They slowly came out of the swampy wooded canopy, one by one. Since that day, I have come to learn their screeching calls & will see them on many hikes. And, boy do they get loud, especially when a bird of prey is circling. The only way to see one of these feathered friends in the United States is to visit South Georgia or Florida. Hope you can get this way & observe one of greatest areas for birding. After hurricane season, of course!