Groove-billed Ani vs Lesser Roadrunner
Crotophaga sulcirostris compared with Geococcyx velox
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Groove-billed Ani | Lesser Roadrunner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Crotophaga sulcirostris | Geococcyx velox |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 25.9 cm (10.2 in) | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) |
| Weight | 80.3 g (2.83 oz) | 184.1 g (6.49 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.
Lesser Roadrunner
Loud, call carrying far; distinctive hollow notes audible across dry open Central American terrain. 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.
Lesser Roadrunner
Conservation Status
Groove-billed Ani
Lesser Roadrunner
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.
Lesser Roadrunner
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) — 46–52 cm. Similar to Greater Roadrunner but smaller with a more streaked breast. Found in dry scrub, open woodland, and arid valleys from Mexico to Nicaragua. Non-parasitic; carnivorous; eats insects and small vertebrates. Shares the same terrestrial running lifestyle as its northern relative.