
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.
Habitats & Distribution
Oilbirds inhabit tropical and subtropical regions of northern South America, with a distribution that includes countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and parts of Brazil. They are specialized to live in extensive cave systems where they roost and nest, utilizing these dark, sheltered environments to evade predators and rear their young. These birds primarily reside in humid, forested areas at varying elevations, often near primary forests or in regions with substantial fruit-bearing trees. The surrounding environments are critical for their diet, which consists mainly of palm fruits and other fatty fruits that provide the energy they need for long flights. Oilbirds are nocturnal, emerging at night to forage and relying on their keen sense of echolocation to navigate through dense forests.
Behaviours & Reproduction
Oilbirds exhibit fascinating reproductive and social behaviors. They are nocturnal and highly social, often roosting and breeding in large colonies within caves. During the breeding season, males perform elaborate flight displays and vocalizations to attract females. Once paired, oilbirds engage in monogamous relationships, jointly selecting crevices or rock ledges within caves to build their nests. These nests, constructed from regurgitated seeds and other materials, become the site for their single annual breeding cycle. A clutch typically consists of 2 to 4 eggs, which both parents incubate for around a month. Upon hatching, the chicks are fed regurgitated, oil-rich fruit pulp, which accelerates their growth. The young fledge after approximately 100-120 days but may remain dependent on their parents for additional weeks. This extended care period is crucial for fledgling survival, given the demanding environment they must adapt to.
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.
Conservation Status & Efforts
The Oilbird (Guacharo) (Steatornis caripensis) is currently classified as "Least Concern" according to the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population overall. However, specific populations may be at risk due to habitat destruction and human disturbances. Primary threats include deforestation for agriculture, logging, and mining activities, which lead to the loss of their crucial roosting and nesting sites in caves and forested areas. Additionally, the species is vulnerable to disturbance from human tourism activities around their nesting caves. Conservation efforts for the Oilbird include legal protection of their habitats and the establishment of reserves and protected areas that encompass critical cave sites. Environmental education programs have been implemented to raise awareness about the importance of preserving Oilbird habitats. In some regions, controlled ecotourism has been introduced to reduce disturbance and generate funding for conservation initiatives. Continued monitoring of population trends and habitat quality is essential to ensure the long-term survival of the species.