The Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis), locally known as the Guacharo, is a bird species found in the northern areas of South America including the Caribbean island of Trinidad. It is the only species in the genus Steatornis, the family Steatornithidae, and the order Steatornithiformes. Nesting in colonies in caves, oilbirds are nocturnal feeders on the fruits of the oil palm and tropical laurels. They are the only nocturnal flying fruit-eating birds in the world (the kakapo, also nocturnal, is flightless). They forage at night, with specially adapted eyesight. However they navigate by echolocation in the same way as bats, one of the few birds to do so. They produce a high-pitched clicking sound of around 2 kHz that is audible to humans. This bizarre nocturnal fruit-eating bird is unlikely to be mistaken. It is entirely rufous-brown with small white spots on the wings, tail, and body. The pinkish bill is strongly hooked. Sexes similar. Breeds and roosts in colonies in caves or steep dark ravines. Difficult to find away from a known colony. Occasionally seen flying over the forest canopy at dawn or dusk, when it can be told from other crepuscular birds like nighthawks by its larger size, bulkier shape, and floppier flight style.
- Conservation Status : Least concern
- Habitat : Forests, Caves
- Class: Aves
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Steatornithidae
- Genus: Steatornis
Diet
Unlike the nightjars they resemble, which eat insects, the Oilbird is a frugivore (fruit-eater), favoring oily, fatty wax palm and avocado fruits, which they pluck from trees with their formidable-looking hooked beaks, then swallow whole.
Colors
It is entirely rufous-brown with small white spots on the wings, tail, and body. The pinkish bill is strongly hooked. Sexes similar.
Fun Facts
Oilbirds may range up to 150 miles in a single night as they forage. Occurs from the lowlands up into the subtropical zone in the Andes, occasionally straying even higher. Makes a variety of strange clicking and shrieking noises.
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