Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris), Wenima Wildlife Area, Apache County

This Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) was discovered and photographed by Michael Clinton on 01 August 2010.

A rare vagrant to Arizona.  The last accepted record was in 2006, although one was reported this summer in Tucson.

The bill clearly makes this an ani.  Other details are difficult to see see in this photo and the glare off the bill may have obscured the grooves, which can be difficult to see anyway.  The lower mandible appears straight and narrow, consistent with Groove-billed.  The possibility of of Smooth-billed Ani occurring in Arizona is so remote, unless my human assistance (farmers introduced them to Galapagos because they believe they eat ticks off of cows, which they don't), that it seems virtually certain this is a Groove-billed. 

01 August 2010, photo by Michael Clinton

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