A tropical American blackbird of the cuckoo family, known for communal nesting behavior and distinctive boat-shaped tail.
From Tupi (Brazilian indigenous language) 'ani', adopted into Portuguese and then English. The word entered European languages through early colonial contact in South America, preserving the indigenous name for these distinctive birds.
Ani birds practice an unusual form of socialism - multiple females lay eggs in the same nest and all adults help raise the chicks together, regardless of parentage. Their name is one of the few words in English that comes directly from Tupi, preserving indigenous knowledge in our vocabulary.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.