The Oilbird is unique. It is similar to the nightjars being slim winged and nocturnal. It lives in caves, but comes out at night to look for the fruit of the oil palm and laurels.
The Oilbird lives in the northern half of South America.
Classification:
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Steatornithidae
Genus: Steatornis
Species: S. caripensis
Photos:
Oilbirds (Steatornis caripensis)
Oilbird
Video:
Discussion:
Venezuela’s Nocturnal “Oil Bird” « Venezuela World
Caripe, in the state of Monagas, Venezuela, is home to a nocturnal bird called the guácharo or “oil bird.” The guácharo (steatornis caripensis) uses echolocation to navigate through the d… Read more…
Jungle Pete’s Earthbound: Tayos Cave: One Giant EEEP! for Mankind
What we did find were the Tayos birds or Oilbirds that locals harvest. Just before fledgling, the birds gain a considerable amount of weight. Locals climb bamboo ladders to the cave ceiling whe… Read more…
Oilbirds feed their young exclusively on fruit pulp. This is very unusual because an all-fruit diet would not normally provide adequate nutrition for baby birds. Oilbird nestlings retain… Read more…
