North American field guide

Groove-billed Ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris

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Identification

Field notes

34 cm (13") Uncommon. Woodlands, farmlands. Texas but extending range east.

Resembles grackle and may be overlooked for one. All black with iridescent purple and green. Long tail. Similar to Smooth-billed Ani but upper bill does not extend above crown.

Often seen in flocks eating insects stirred up by cattle.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

4 photos

Credit: Bernard Dupont

Credit: Len Blumin

Credit: Pablo Leautaud

Credit: Dan Irizarry

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

Groove-billed Ani

Credit: Dalcio Dacol

Crotophaga sulcirostris - Groove-billed ani - Tijul o Garrapatero de pico asurcado

Credit: Pablo Bedrossian

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 1 rule

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Groove-Billed Ani

1 rule

Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 3

Did the WINGS have STRIPES or PATCHES ?: No · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Black, purple, or dark
What colour was the BREAST ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Conical and slender · Conical and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Green · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Songbird (ground or perching bird)
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States · Southwestern United States

result:476-groove-billed-ani:1:1 Source: 476 Groove-Billed Ani, row 1