The Limpkin was an emblematic bird in the reserve while its favourite food, apple snails, grew abundantly. By 2000 waters of the pond got became salty enough for these snails to disappear since they are freshwater snails. So did the limpkin which became an occasional visitor. With fresh water back in the ponds apple snails repopulated the pond and today the limpkin seems settled. Up to 6 limpkins were seen at the Coypu Pond.
The limpkin feeds in shallow waters visually by searching the snails which are under the water. Here the limpkin has already got one in its bill. We can only see the shell since the animal hides inside it and closes the opening of the shell with a plaque called operculum as if it were a door. In this way it is safe from predators.
To take the animal out of the shell the limpkin pecks vigorously at the shell to make a hole. With the operculum removed it can get to the fleshy part. It tears it off wthe muscle to which it is connected with strong shakes

A very evasive male

Family

Not native to this area. The known distribution reaches the Province of Corrientes. Certainly a release