WordGarden.ioani
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈæni/
US
Meanings
Noun
a tropical American cuckoo-like bird of the genus Crotophaga
Beyond the definition
In English, an ani is a tropical bird in the cuckoo family, found mainly in the Americas and the Caribbean. Anis are usually glossy black, long-tailed, and social, often seen in small groups around open fields, marshes, or farmland. If you've heard of the smooth-billed ani or the greater ani, those are specific species of this same kind of bird.
An ani is a bird of the genus Crotophaga, a genus within the cuckoo family (Cuculidae). The word usually refers to species such as the smooth-billed ani, groove-billed ani, and greater ani. These birds are recognized by their dark plumage, long tails, and heavy, curved bills.
Anis are known for social behavior: they often forage in groups, eating insects and small animals, and may share communal nests in some species. In birdwatching and zoological contexts, "ani" is therefore a concrete animal term, not an abstract concept.
Usage example: "We spotted a flock of anis perched on the fence line at dawn."
Examples
- 1
Bird identification
We spotted an ani on the fence beside the pasture.
- 2
Animal behavior
A few anis were following the cattle and picking insects off the ground.
- 3
Bird call
In the recording, you can hear the ani's rough, rattling call.
See also
Used with (collocations)
- smooth-billed ani
- groove-billed ani
- greater ani
Word family
- anis
Explore
- cuckoo
- Crotophaga
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- aninoun