Aramus paludigrus

This bird was described in 1997 based on a nearly complete tibiotarsus bone, very similar to its modern relative, the limpkin Aramus garaudana, although this element measured about 196 millimeters (7.7 in) long, which implies a 20% larger size. It also differs from the modern species in that this bone has larger lateral condyles, and its axis is longer and narrower, very similar to that found in modern trumpeters (Psophia).^[1] The general ecology of this animal isn't dissimilar to the modern limpkin, likely being a rather sedentary bird (as no remains are known from other parts of South America), and with what's known of the strata in which it was found, it likely waded through swamps in search of snails, insects and bivalves to feed on them. This is what led to their scientific name, as Greek paludigrus can be translated as "marsh crane."^[1]

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