| Smooth-billed ani | |
|---|---|
_GC.JPG) | |
| inGrand Cayman | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Cuculiformes |
| Family: | Cuculidae |
| Genus: | Crotophaga |
| Species: | C. ani |
| Binomial name | |
| Crotophaga ani | |
 | |
Thesmooth-billed ani (Crotophaga ani) is abird in thecuckoo family. It is a resident breeding species from southernFlorida, theCaribbean, parts ofCentral America, south to westernEcuador,Brazil, northernArgentina and southernChile.[2] It was introduced to Galápagos around the 1960s and is potentially impacting native and endemic species across the archipelago.[3]
The smooth-billed ani was described and illustrated in 1648 by the German naturalistGeorg Marcgrave in hisHistoria Naturalis Brasiliae.[4] He used the name "Ani" but did not explain the origin of the word. It probably comes from the wordAnim in theTupi language which means "social bird".[5] In 1756 the Irish physicianPatrick Browne used the nameCrotophaga for the species in hisThe Civil and Natural History of Jamaica.[6] Browne's name combines theAncient Greekkrotōn meaning "tick" with-phagos meaning "-eating".[7] Browne wrote that the smooth-billed anis "live chiefly upon ticks and other small vermin; and may be frequently seen jumping about all cows and oxen in the fields".[6] When the Swedish naturalistCarl Linnaeus updated hisSystema Naturae for thetenth edition in 1758 he included the smooth-billed ani. He placed it in its own genusCrotophaga and coined thebinomial nameCrotophaga ani.[8] Thetype locality is Jamaica.[9] The species ismonotypic: nosubspecies are recognised.[10]
The smooth-billed ani is a mid-sized species, larger on average than thegroove-billed ani but smaller than thegreater 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.[11] The flight is weak and wobbly, but the birdruns well and usually feeds on the ground. This species is called "el pijul" in Venezuelan folklore.[citation needed] The calls include a whiningooo-leeek.
Thisani is found in open and semi-open country and areas under cultivation. This common and conspicuous species has greatly benefited fromdeforestation.
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This is a very gregarious species, always found in noisy groups.
The nest, built communally by several pairs, is a deep cup made of twigs and lined with leaves and placed usually 2–6 m (6.6–19.7 ft) high in a tree. A number of females lay their chalky blueeggs in thenest and then share incubation and feeding. Each female is capable of laying up to seven eggs, and nests have been found containing up to 29 eggs, but it is rare for more than ten to hatch. Incubation is 13–15 days, with another 10 days to fledging. Up to three broods may be raised in a season, with the young of earlier broods helping to feed more recent chicks.
The smooth-billed ani feeds ontermites, largeinsects, otherinvertebrates[12] and evenlizards,frogs,eggs andhatchlings of other birds, andfruit.[12] They will occasionally removeticks and other parasites from grazing animals.
The smooth-billed ani is consideredLeast Concern according to theIUCN Red List. Declines in the South Florida population were recorded as the state delayed its protection decision for the species.[13]
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