Peaceful Jungle Life – NOT

25 Oct

It’s that time of year again, limpkin mating season! In Austin we walked the neighborhood every morning with nary a peep or a tweet from our feathered friends. Fast forward and we are back in our beloved home in the Mexican jungle and OMG it’s limpkin mating season.

They love the snails in Laguna Bacalar. (stock photo)

Limpkins are large wading birds, kin to cranes, that hang out in fresh water wetlands aka Bacalar and the large tree on our waterfront. We’ve seen them everywhere since our return home, even on the ground in our driveway.

Last night I was awakened at 2am to their blood curdling screams. They are loud, piercing and continuous. It makes me want to go outside with a rock. Not that it would do any good.

With my trusty phone I learned more than I cared to know about limpkins.

The anatomy of their windpipes is responsible for the piercing screeches.

It’s a territorial defense mechanism, especially during breeding season, aka NOW.

Mated pairs often call to each other to locate across distances.

Predator alarm system.

Can last for months!

https://youtu.be/wa9SXVt-zbE?si=Kp0Q7csEN_vP4P3t

Imagine that sound all night outside your window! Living in the jungle is not always quiet and peaceful. Actually it’s almost never quiet but I prefer the birds in Bacalar to Amazon delivery trucks in Austin any day.

DOS TORTAS

4 Responses to “Peaceful Jungle Life – NOT”

  1. LJones's avatar
    LJones October 25, 2026 at 11:02 am #

    Good luck with it all!!😊

    Lorrie Jones
    Simple Serenity
    simpleserenity.comhttp://simpleserenity.com/
    253.312.3117

    Like

    • afish25's avatar
      afish25 October 25, 2026 at 11:31 am #

      This morning laying in my hammock with pug in my lap, there’s no place I’d rather be. Hope your property dispute is settled soon.

      Like

      • LJones's avatar
        LJones October 25, 2026 at 11:52 am #

        I am so happy you are home safely – and I wish I were there to say hello and be neighbors…dispute is still going strong…guards at our place …not sure where Kathy is but her whole attempt to sell our part has been frozen..and since she committed fraud in the eyes of Mexico, we might – might – inherit the whole piece (Ginny’s original big piece)…😊 will keep you posted as best – love to you three

        Lorrie Jones
        Simple Serenity
        simpleserenity.comhttp://simpleserenity.com/
        253.312.3117

        Like

  2. EmilySmith's avatar
    EmilySmith October 25, 2026 at 11:43 am #

    Earplugs? I am a light sleeper under the best of circumstances; I would go insane if I had to listen to that all night long. I remember hearing howler monkeys in the Belize jungle overnight, but it was a brief period and SO cool, so I didn’t mind.

    Like

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