About the Smooth-billed Ani
The smooth-billed ani is a bird in the cuckoo family. It is a resident breeding species from southern Florida, the Caribbean, parts of Central America, south to western Ecuador, Brazil, northern Argentina and southern Chile. It was introduced to Galápagos around the 1960s and is potentially impacting native and endemic species across the archipelago.
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ID tip
The smooth-billed ani is a mid-sized species, larger on average than the groove-billed ani but smaller than the greater ani. It measures approximately 35 cm (14 in) in overall length. Males weigh around 115 g (4.1 oz) while females are lighter and with a weight of around 95 g (3.4 oz). The adult is mainly glossy black, with a long tail, deep ridged black bill and a brown iris. The flight is weak and wobbly, but the bird runs well and usually feeds on the ground. This species is called "el pijul" in Venezuelan folklore. The calls include a whining ooo-leeek.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Smooth-billed Ani sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Chile.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Groove-billed AniCrotophaga sulcirostrisThe groove-billed ani is about 34 cm (13 in) long, and weighs 70–90 g (2.5–3.2 oz).
Greater AniCrotophaga majorThe greater ani is about 46 cm (18 in) in length.
Side by side: Groove-billed Ani vs Smooth-billed Ani · Greater Ani vs Smooth-billed Ani
Learn the Smooth-billed Ani for real
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