Length: 12 to 14 inches | Wingspan: 16 to 18 inches | Seasonality: Rare Visitor |
ID Keys: Thick bill with parallel grooves on upper mandible, very long tail, black overall with purple and/or green iridescence. |
The Groove-billed Ani
is a tropical member of the Cuckoo family, with the northern range only slightly
entering the U.S. in southern Texas. Normally very sociable birds, they
are often found feeding together near grazing cattle and roosting at night in
tightly-packed groups. Despite their normal range, they occasionally
wander far to the north.
2) Audubon Guide - Groove-billed Ani
3) WhatBird - Groove-billed Ani
Click on the map below for a higher-resolution view |
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South Dakota Status: Rare visitor, with only a handful of records in the state. |