Greater Ani vs Western Koel
Crotophaga major compared with Eudynamys scolopaceus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Greater Ani | Western Koel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Crotophaga major | Eudynamys scolopaceus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 38.7 cm (15.2 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 184.625 g (6.51 oz) | 230.0 g (8.11 oz) |
| Diet | Insectivore of tropical South American marshes; eats hairy caterpillars, large beetles, and small lizards. Also … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-7 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Greater Ani
Soft, wheezy call with plaintive quality; delicate notes given quietly from dense grassland cover at dawn.
Western Koel
Loud, far-carrying nasal call; distinctive penetrating notes audible through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Geographic Range & Migration
Greater Ani
Found in tropical forests, mangroves, and marshes from Mexico to Argentina. Resident in lowland wetland habitats.
Western Koel
Conservation Status
Greater Ani
Western Koel
How to Tell Them Apart
Greater Ani
Black-eared Bronze-cuckoo: dark ear patch; bronze-green above; barred white below; red eye; distinctive dark ear patches; small
Western Koel
Shining Bronze-cuckoo: brilliant iridescent golden-green above; white barred below; bronze-green head; reddish eye; small size
About These Birds
Greater Ani
A large, all-black cuckoo (46-48 cm) with a keeled bill and long tail. Found in tropical forests, mangroves, and marshes from Mexico to Argentina. Gregarious, often in groups of 8-20. Insectivore and small vertebrate predator. Communal nester, with several females sharing nests.
Western Koel
Western Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) — 39–46 cm. Male glossy black; female brown with white spots and barred underparts; red eye. Widespread from South Asia through mainland Southeast Asia. Brood parasite targeting crows and mynas. Frugivore and insectivore. Its rising wailing call heralds the Indian summer.