Guareao

Did You Know: The Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) is a large bird that makes its home from Florida to Mexico and on through parts of South America and the Caribbean. In the Greater Antilles this bird is still commonly known by it Taino name Guareao. Its plumage is dark brown with an olive luster above. The feathers of the Guareao's head, neck, wing coverts, and much of the back and underparts (except the rear) are streaked with white. It has long, dark-gray legs and a long neck. Its bill is long, heavy, and downcurved, yellowish bill with a darker tip. The Guareao is easier to hear than see. Its common vocalization is a loud wild wail with some rattling quality, represented as "kwEEEeeer or klAAAar." This call is most often given at night and at dawn and dusk. The call of the Guareao has been used for jungle sound effects in Tarzan films and for the hippogriff in the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. - - UCTP Taino News © 2009