Head to head
Smooth-billed Ani vs Groove-billed Ani
The smooth-billed ani and the groove-billed ani are close relatives that look almost identical at a glance, sharing the same all-black plumage and unusual communal nesting habits, and are most reliably told apart by the texture of the bill.
| Smooth-billed Ani | Groove-billed Ani | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Crotophaga ani | Crotophaga sulcirostris |
| Bill shape | Smooth, raised ridge | A series of shallow grooves along the bill |
| Plumage | All-black with a glossy sheen | All-black, closely resembling the smooth-billed ani |
| Range | Central America, South America, and the Caribbean | Southwestern US through Central America into South America |
| Nesting | Communal, multiple females share one nest | Communal, multiple females share one nest |
| Social structure | Highly social, close-knit groups | Highly social, close-knit groups |
| Diet | Insectivore, foraging on the ground | Insectivore, foraging on the ground |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Smooth-billed Ani vs Groove-billed Ani: common questions
What is the easiest way to tell a smooth-billed ani from a groove-billed ani?
Look closely at the bill: the smooth-billed ani has a smooth raised ridge, while the groove-billed ani shows a series of shallow grooves running along the length of the bill.
Do both anis nest communally?
Yes, both species nest communally, with multiple females laying their eggs together in a single shared nest that the whole social group cooperatively incubates and defends.
Do the ranges of the two anis overlap?
Yes, their ranges overlap broadly across Central America and parts of South America, though the groove-billed ani extends further north into the southwestern United States.