The Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis), used to be harvested and rendered for oil in plump squab form। The oilbird might regionally be known in Spanish speaking countries as the Guácharo, and familiar to cave explorers who know its sharp squawks of intruder alert. Oilbirds exist as a puffy, long-winged birds with shoulder dots and white cheek marks barely visible in their cave habitats.Vocalization includes clocking for echolocation in narrow twisting cave areas। Visitors to cave nest areas will be greeted with wing flapping squawks. But their owlish, (and slightly depressed) faces with down curving beak may freeze to avoid detection. This nocturnal species feeds solely on the fruit of the oil palm tree and tropical fruit laurels. Therefore, wherever these lants and trees are found, nearby caves may house habitational breeding oilbirds.
The oilbird presents a someone what "hen-ish" or owlish appearance, observant and hesitant when trolling branches; puffy and somnolent when asleep. This is a large bird at sixteen to nineteen inches with a wing span of three feet. The oilbird’s flattened, hooked bill is surrounded by dark brown bristles up to two inches long. It is mainly reddish-brown with white spots on the nape and wings. Lower oilbird parts are brownish color to neutral white. The stiff tail feathers are a rich chestnut brown spotted with white on either side.
It is a seasonal migrant, moving from breeding caves to fertile wildland fruit trees. Oilbirds plump up possibly half their body weight again before the breeding migration, an intelligent habit as caves will provide little nutrition and parents will not want to leave the nest.
Modern poaching has caused oilbird depletion due to hunting and nesting destruction. Nesting oilbirds can be a thrill for hikers and birding enthusiasts. Natural parks in Colombia, Bolivia and other South American countries have oilbird caves preserved there. But they do not adequately ensure oilbird protection from human predators.
The oilbird is found where caves arise in reclusive enough frequency for tropical birds to survive without predation. South American lands and tropical forests from Guyana, Venezuela, Trinidad, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia have oilbirds in native habitats. Caribbean and Central American tourism can actually hurt the very sustainable bird breeding of oilbirds.
Seasonally, the oilbird lives in forests to gather nutrition and store up for breeding. Then the oilbird will migrate from the forest and woodland to within breeding areas within caves. The wings of the oilbird control aerial maneuvers. The Oilbird's small feet are somewhat useless, other than for positioning and alignment to vertical surfaces. The oilbird’s hovering, twisting flight allows the bird to navigate the route and “hallways” of the caves.
Oilbirds are social and perch on cave ledges during the day। The nest will contain a pair or two of white eggs that will turn brown. The cave nest is composed of droppings perched above usually above water. Oilbirds nest over streams or ocean water, which narrows the choice of caves to those containing water underneath.
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