A large, long-necked wading bird, named for its unsual limping gait. It is the only bird in its species in North America and the world.

Chocolate over all, densly streaked with white above. Long bill with slight down curve. Long legs, and the large, webless feet are dull greyish green. Juvenile is duller than the adult.

Range: Generally uncommon in swamps and wetlands, where it wades or swims in search of snails, frogs and insects. Rare to fairly common in Florida, casual in Georgia and accidental north to Maryland.

Call: a waling, irritating krr-oww, heard mostly at night or when disturbed.