Crotophaga

Crotophaga (Gr., 'tick-eater'), a genus of birds in the cuckoo family and order Coccygomorpha. They are also known by the names Ani and Keel-bird, the former referring to the cry, the latter to the blade-like ridge on the compressed arched beak. The best known of the three species (C. ani) frequents South America to the east of the Andes, and is often called the Savanna Blackbird. They are distinguished from other cuckoo-like birds by the tail, which has only eight steering feathers. The beak is as long as the head, and the keel is said to be used in unearthing their insect prey; the wings are long and pointed; the tail is long, broad, and rounded. They are social birds, and several females lay their eggs in a common nest. They are fond of keeping about herds of horses and cattle for the sake of the insect larvæ which they find on their skin. In this connection they are obviously of some importance.