Groove-billed Ani vs Western Koel
Crotophaga sulcirostris compared with Eudynamys scolopaceus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Groove-billed Ani | Western Koel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Crotophaga sulcirostris | Eudynamys scolopaceus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 25.9 cm (10.2 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 80.3 g (2.83 oz) | 230.0 g (8.11 oz) |
| Diet | Insectivore of open country; eats grasshoppers, beetles, and hairy caterpillars. Forages near grazing animals that … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-4 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Groove-billed Ani
Loud, far-carrying display call; deep hollow notes audible across open European grassland habitat 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
Groove-billed Ani
Found from southern Texas through Central America to South America. Resident in open country and agricultural areas.
Western Koel
Conservation Status
Groove-billed Ani
Western Koel
How to Tell Them Apart
Groove-billed Ani
New Caledonian Bronze-cuckoo: bronze-green above; barred white below; island endemic; red eye; iridescent bronze-green; small size
Western Koel
Shining Bronze-cuckoo: brilliant iridescent golden-green above; white barred below; bronze-green head; reddish eye; small size
About These Birds
Groove-billed Ani
A medium-sized, all-black cuckoo (30-34 cm) with a grooved bill. Found from southern Texas through Central America to South America. Similar to Smooth-billed Ani but smaller with a smooth-ridged bill. Gregarious; communal nester. Omnivore following livestock for insects.
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.