-checked Geo "Field guide" and found it interesting that these birds build communal nests that can hold up to 29 eggs, only 10 of which normally hatch! -here's a link with a neat shot of these birds and some additional reading: ( http://webserv.nhl.nl/~ribot/english/cran_ng.htm )

Jim ... Thank You for posting the site. Cool photos, the first 2 birds almost look like a mirror image. :) Smooth-billed Ani was #1 on my wish list of birds to see in the Bahamas. Not sure how to tell the gender difference with these birds - will have to do some further reading. I'm hoping the two I saw were a male and female. Would love to see the babies!