Archive for 'Cuculidae'

Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)

Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)

The oxbow lake at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center is teaming with life, and is an excellent location to get up and close. As there is no current you can drift silently with the wind and when you sit still be somewhat regarded as part of the natural flow of things. Normally the anis […]

Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira)

Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira)

A very common bird in Pantanal, but I think they are worth a photo nonetheless, especially when a group of fledgelings sit in a close group like this – enjoying the sun after a rain shower, as well as the sense of security in numbers. It sounds like this:

Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira)

Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira)

The guira cuckoos have a peculiar morning ritual – to open a patch of skin at the base of their back and face it directly at the sun. Perhaps they are easily chilled or don’t have a great blood circulation? They behave just like a lizard would in the morning! The sun is low on […]

Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira)

Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira)

This common bird of the Pantanal was always around the houses of Fazenda San Fransico – single like this one or in groups. Here it’s calling out to let the world know about it presence, just a few metres away from me and my room. The sun is low on the western horizon and that […]

Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira)

Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira)

A very common bird in Pantanal and sometimes in early mornings you’ll see many together basking in the sun in a treetop. This one was alone in this tree – calling to friends nearby before takeoff. It sounds like this:

Greater Ani (Crotophaga major)

Greater Ani (Crotophaga major)

This is one peculiar bird! One or two birds will vocalise in a chit-chat manner but when they are several more, the synchronized sound created is otherwordly! First I thought I heard some distant machinery – perhaps from a plane, but around the bend of the creek a flock of perhaps 20 Anis were chanting […]