The family Aramidae includes 1 species found in North America.

The Limpkin occurs in wooded swamps and brushy areas in the southeastern U. S., Caribbean islands, and from Mexico to Argentina. It is medium-sized (58-71 cm, 850-1050 grams), with a long neck, long legs, and brownish-olive plumage with white streaks. The long bill is slightly decurved. The tail is short and the wings are broad and rounded. 

Food is almost entirely large snails, mainly of the genus Pomacea, obtained in shallow water. After capturing a snail the Limpkin extracts the body and discards the shell. The nest is a shallow, rather flimsy structure, of sticks and dry plants, on a shady site on the ground near water, or in a bush or tree. Clutch is 4-8 pale buff eggs, spotted or blotched with light brown. Both sexes incubate and care for the precocial young even after they are able to fly. The young approach the adults from behind and reach forward between the legs of the parent to take a snail from the bill of the adult.