Groove-billed ani
| Groove-billed ani | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Cuculiformes |
| Family: | Cuculidae |
| Genus: | Crotophaga |
| Species: | C. sulcirostris
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| Binomial name | |
| Crotophaga sulcirostris (Swainson, 1827)
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| Range of C. sulcirostris | |
The groove-billed ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) is an odd-looking tropical bird in the cuckoo family with a long tail and a large, curved beak. It is a resident species throughout most of its range, from southern Texas, central Mexico and The Bahamas, through Central America, to northern Colombia and Venezuela, and coastal Ecuador and Peru. It only retreats from the northern limits of its range in Texas and northern Mexico during winter.
The groove-billed ani is about 34 cm (13 in) long, and weighs 70–90 g (2.5–3.2 oz). It is completely black, with a very long tail almost as long as its body. It has a huge bill with horizontal grooves along the length of the upper mandible. It is very similar to the smooth-billed ani, some of which have bills as small as the groove-billed and with grooves on the basal half. The two species are best distinguished by voice and range. In flight, the ani alternates between quick, choppy flaps and short glides.
Like other anis, the groove-billed is found in open and partly open country, such as pastures, savanna, and orchards. It feeds largely on a mixed diet of insects, seeds, and fruits.
The groove-billed ani lives in small groups of one to five breeding pairs. They defend a single territory and lay their eggs in one communal nest. All group members incubate the eggs and care for the young.
Protected status
The groove-billed ani is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.[2]
References
- Cisneros-Heredia, Diego F. "Información Sobre la Distribución de Algunas Especies de Aves de Ecuador" (PDF). Boletín SAO (in Spanish). XVI (1): 7.
External links
- "Groove-billed Ani media". Internet Bird Collection.
- Groove-billed Ani photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)
- Groove-billed Ani Images by Monte M. Taylor
- Groove-billed Ani Picture at www.avesphoto.com
- "Crotophaga sulcirostris". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Crotophaga
- Birds of Mexico
- Birds of the U.S. Rio Grande Valleys
- Birds of the United States
- Birds of Central America
- Birds of South America
- Birds of Colombia
- Birds of Venezuela
- Birds of Ecuador
- Birds of El Salvador
- Birds of Peru
- Birds of the Netherlands Antilles
- Animals described in 1827