Birds
Smooth-billed Ani
Crotophaga ani
Several females crowd around a single shared nest, each adding her own eggs to the communal clutch, a cooperative strategy that defines social life for the smooth-billed ani across its wide range in the Americas.
Overview
The smooth-billed ani, Crotophaga ani, is a Least Concern bird found across grassland and wetland habitat throughout Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Its all-black plumage, distinctive smooth bill ridge, and unusual communal nesting system, in which multiple females share a single nest, make it one of the more socially complex members of the cuckoo family.
A nest built for many mothers
Rather than each pair raising young independently, smooth-billed ani groups combine their efforts, with several females contributing eggs to one shared nest that the whole group then incubates and defends together, a cooperative breeding strategy uncommon among birds generally.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and common across suitable open habitat throughout its extensive range.
Smooth-billed Ani: common questions
Why is it called the smooth-billed ani?
It carries a distinctive raised ridge along the top of the bill with a smooth texture, a feature that gives the species its common name and distinguishes it from the closely related groove-billed ani.
How does the smooth-billed ani nest?
It nests communally, with multiple females laying their eggs together in a single shared nest, which the entire social group then helps incubate, defend, and raise.
Is the smooth-billed ani social?
Yes, it lives and forages in close-knit groups throughout the year, rarely seen foraging alone.
Where is the smooth-billed ani found?
It ranges widely across Central America, South America, and many Caribbean islands.