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The two smaller ani species, Groove-billed and Smooth-billed Anis, are rather widespread in Panama, and through much of the northern
portion of the neotropics. In four years of observing these species in Panama, I have yet to pin down any favored habitats or elevations
to aid in distinguishing the two, and generally have found both in open and/or disturbed areas, from the lowlands to the foothills. I once found
the two species side-by-side above Santa Fé de Veraguas. The Groove-billed Ani pictured below was filmed near El Chirú, Coclé Province,
in May of 2006. It is hard to see the grooves on the bill of this bird, but the culmen shows a basically clean arc, which is Smooth-billed is broken by a hump-like
ridge. The two species are also rather easily distinguished by call, as Smooth-billed emits a sort of resonant bleating call.
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