Details
Steatornis caripensis
The oilbird is a nocturnal fruit-eating bird of northern South America. It roosts and breeds in cave colonies, then flies into forest at night.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It depends on tropical forest near dark caves or rock cavities. Secure dark spaces are essential for daytime roosting and breeding.
Wingspan is about 95-105 cm and weight about 350-475 g. Large eyes, a wide mouth, long wings, and brown plumage with pale spots are typical.
Nocturnal birds use clicking sounds inside caves to navigate. At night they range widely over forest in search of fruit.
It is herbivorous, feeding mainly on oily palm and other fruits. Fruits are swallowed whole, making the bird a seed disperser.
It nests on ledges or rock surfaces inside caves within colonies. Chicks are fed fruit-rich meals and build fat as they grow.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. It requires both fruiting forest and undisturbed caves.
