28-3-2017 CARARA NAT PARK, COSTA RICA - GROOVE BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris)

The Groove-billed Ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris, is a distinctive tropical bird belonging to the cuckoo family. It is characterized by its long tail and an impressively large, curved beak adorned with longitudinal grooves. This bird's plumage is entirely black, and it possesses a wingspan of 41-46 cm (16-18 in), with a body length of about 34 cm (13 in) and a weight ranging from 70–90 g (2.5–3.2 oz).

When identifying the Groove-billed Ani, look for its very long tail, which is nearly as long as its body, and its massive bill with grooves running the length of the upper mandible. In flight, this bird exhibits a pattern of quick, choppy flaps followed by short glides. It can be confused with the Smooth-billed Ani, but the two can be differentiated by their vocalizations and geographic range.

The Groove-billed Ani is typically found in open and semi-open landscapes, including pastures, savannas, and orchards. It thrives in these environments where it can forage and live in small communal groups.

This bird is a resident species across its range, which extends from southern Texas, central Mexico, and The Bahamas, through Central America, to northern Colombia and Venezuela, as well as coastal regions of Ecuador and Peru. It retreats from the northernmost parts of its range in Texas and northern Mexico during the winter months.

The Groove-billed Ani is a social creature, living in small groups consisting of one to five breeding pairs. These groups defend a shared territory and collaborate in nesting activities within a single communal nest.

29-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - GROOVE BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris)

The groove-billed ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris ) is a 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). Wingspan ranges from 41-46 cm (16-18 in). It is completely black, with a very long tail almost as long as its body. It has a huge bill with lengthwise grooves running the length of the upper mandible. It is very similar to the smooth-billed ani, some specimens 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.

The groove-billed ani is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.