Greater Ani

Crotophaga major

The Greater Ani (Crotophaga major) is a large, black bird found in Central and South America. It is known for its unique nesting behavior, as it forms communal nesting colonies where multiple females lay eggs in a single nest, and all members of the group help to incubate and care for the eggs and chicks. The Greater Ani is a social bird, often seen in groups foraging for insects, small reptiles, and fruits in open habitats such as savannas, forest edges, and agricultural areas. It has a loud, cackling call and is often heard before it is seen. Despite some habitat loss, the Greater Ani is currently not considered to be at risk and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Habitat: Open habitats such as savannas, forest edges, and agricultural areas