The largest of the anis of the Iberá. Entirely black with blue-violet highlights in the plumage. The eyes are white or whitish-yellow, very striking and distinct from the dark eyes of the Smooth-billed Ani, the easiest way to tell them apart. The bill has the same prominent compressed keel as the Smooth-billed Ani but is larger. It measures 44 to 48 cm. Unlike the Smooth-billed Ani, it prefers dense riverine vegetation and the edges of gallery forests near water.
Behaviour
More elusive and water-loving than the smooth-billed ani. It lives in groups of 5 to 15 individuals at the edges of the gallery forest, the riverbank vegetation and the reed beds near lagoons and streams. It also builds communal nests. It feeds on large insects, small lizards, frogs and fruit.
How and when to see it
Spring and summer (a summer migrant in the Iberá), though harder to see than the smooth-billed ani. The edges of channels with dense vegetation at Portal Laguna Iberá and Galarza are the best sites.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where greater ani has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where greater ani lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiencias con relato local y mirada cultural sobre los esteros.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Travesías a caballo por una red de refugios en el Iberá. Cabalgatas de varios días con…★ 5.0 - Jurassic Plant - Tour Nocturno
El único jardín de plantas carnívoras de Argentina y pionero en Latinoamérica. Tour…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Senderismo guiado. Visita guiada a museos, lugares históricos, capillas y senderos del…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameGreater Ani
- Scientific nameCrotophaga major
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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