Greater Ani
A species of Anis Scientific name : Crotophaga major Genus : Anis
Greater Ani, A species of Anis
Botanical name: Crotophaga major
Genus: Anis
Content
Description General Info
Description
The greater ani (Crotophaga major) is a large bird in the cuckoo family. It is a breeding species from Panama and Trinidad through tropical South America to northern Argentina. It is sometimes referred to as the black cuckoo. This ani is found in mangrove swamps, semi-open woodland near water, and the edges of forests. It is a seasonal migrant in at least some parts of its range. The nest, built communally by several pairs, is a deep cup lined with leaves and placed usually 2–5 m (6.6–16.4 ft) high in a tree. A number of females lay their chalky deep blue eggs in the nest and then share incubation and feeding. These breeding groups may also include non-breeding helpers. Nests have been found containing 3–10 eggs. In a recent longterm study, it was found that around 15% of females lay their eggs in the nest of another nesting group. This conspecific brood parasitism happens primarily when a female has lost her own clutch to predation. The greater ani is about 48 cm (19 in) long and weighs 170 g (6.0 oz). The adult is mainly blue-glossed black, with a long tail, massive ridged black bill, and a white iris. Immature birds have a dark iris. This is a very gregarious species, always found in noisy groups. The calls include croaking and turkey-like gobbling kro-koro. The greater ani feeds on large insects and even lizards and frogs. 
Size
46 cm
Life Expectancy
4 years
Feeding Habits
Greater Ani predominantly consume large insects like grasshoppers and beetles, along with fruit, seeds, and occasionally small reptiles and amphibians. They typically forage by sifting through vegetation or picking off prey from surfaces, showcasing adaptability in their feeding behaviors.
Habitat
Greater Ani mainly inhabits forested lowlands that can be found adjacent to bodies of water such as sluggish rivers, lakes, and swamps, with a preference for regions where there is standing or slow-moving water. Habitual environments for this species include areas with dense vegetation, bamboo groves, mangroves, flooded forests, and gallery forests. They are also known to occupy marshes and the edges of streams and lakes, often nesting in vegetation such as shrubs or small trees growing directly in the water. Although greater Ani tends to avoid locales with steep or exposed banks, strong wind currents, or powerful water currents, they exhibit a certain level of tolerance for human activity and may forage near human settlements. The species typically remains within close proximity to the water's edge and is not commonly found deep within the forest.
Dite type
Omnivorous
General Info
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Cuckoos and Relatives Family
Cuckoos Genus
Anis Species
Greater Ani 
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