Greater Ani
NameGreater Ani
Common NameGreater Ani
Scientific NameCrotophaga major
FamilyCuculidae
Wingspan (cm)44
Length (cm)46
Weight (g)165
Plumage DetailsEntirely iridescent blue-black plumage with a shaggy texture, especially on the head and neck. The eyes are pale, often appearing white or yellowish, contrasting sharply with its dark head.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a variety of loud, clear, whistling calls such as a 'whee-ooo' or 'clack' notes, often given in chorus by a group.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatswetland, forest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in Central and South America, from eastern Panama south through Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas, to northern Argentina and Paraguay, typically in lowlands near water.
Identifying Featureslarge size, iridescent blue-black plumage, shaggy appearance, pale eyes, long, graduated tail, heavy, arched bill
Description
The Greater Ani is a large, glossy black cuckoo with a distinctive shaggy appearance and a long tail. It is a highly social bird, often found in noisy groups in dense vegetation near water, where it forages for insects and small vertebrates.
