Santa Ana's Grooved Ani(s)

The sighting of 5 Ani(s) is the goal of most birders in the Valley. This is a first for us, novice TX birders. They look like blackbirds but have a large thick bill. We saw 2 and heard 3 last week but yesterday 2 were in plain sight by the Pintail Lakes. We went out early 8am in deep fog and 50 degrees. By 11 the sun was out but the wind was blowing hard, I could not keep my camera still at times.

One of the five flew up after a hawk flew over on a very windy day a week later.  We saw all five after an hour of hiking.

The others popped up and joined the first.

Groovy!

Here's looking at you!