Smooth-billed Ani

The Smooth‑billed Ani is a glossy black cuckoo with a long, rounded tail, a hunched posture, and a thick, arched bill that gives the species its name. Its plumage often shows a subtle bluish or purplish sheen in good light, and its loose, slightly shaggy feathers create a somewhat scruffy silhouette. The pale eye stands out against the dark face, giving the bird a sharp, expressive look.

• Species eBird Ecuador Link: Smooth-billed Ani

In Ecuador, the Smooth‑billed Ani is widespread in lowland and foothill regions on both the Pacific and Amazonian sides, thriving in open habitats such as pastures, agricultural fields, forest edges, and scrub. It is common to abundant in many areas and is often seen in small, noisy groups perched on fences, foraging in grass, or moving through low vegetation. Its adaptability to human‑modified landscapes has allowed it to expand its range in some regions.

One of the most interesting traits of the Smooth‑billed Ani is its cooperative breeding system: several females lay eggs in a single communal nest, and all group members help incubate and raise the chicks. These groups also defend territories together and maintain constant vocal contact with a variety of grunts, whistles, and squeaky calls. Their social nature, combined with their habit of sunning with wings spread, makes them one of the most charismatic and easily observed birds of open country.