The family Aramidae, belonging to the order Gruiformes, is represented by a single extant species, the limpkin (Aramus guarauna). Limpkins are large, wading birds found primarily in wetlands of the Americas, from Florida and the Caribbean down through South America. They have long legs and necks, slightly curved bills, and distinctive brown plumage with white streaks, adaptations that allow them to forage efficiently in shallow water. Their diet consists mainly of apple snails and other aquatic invertebrates, which they extract with specialized bills. Limpkins are generally solitary or found in pairs and are known for their loud, wailing calls that carry across marshes, making them highly vocal compared to many other Gruiformes.