Oilbird

The oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) is a nocturnal, fruit-eating bird native to northern South America and Trinidad. It roosts in caves and uses audible clicks for echolocation in darkness.

Echolocation: Biological sensing that uses reflected sound waves to locate objects or navigate. Oilbirds use clicks and returning echoes to orient themselves inside dark caves.
Steatornithidae: The bird family containing the oilbird, its sole living species. This small family places the oilbird apart from other night-active birds.
Alexander von Humboldt: A Prussian naturalist and explorer whose travels in the Americas shaped nineteenth-century science. Humboldt described oilbirds during his travels in Venezuela.
Tropical forest: A forest ecosystem in tropical regions, typically characterized by warm conditions and high biological diversity. Oilbirds forage across tropical forests and depend on their fruiting trees.
Megabats: Large fruit- and nectar-eating bats in the family Pteropodidae, generally relying on vision and smell rather than echolocation. Like megabats, oilbirds eat fruit, but oilbirds use echolocation to navigate.
Steatornis caripensis: The scientific name of the oilbird, the only living species in its genus. The species name identifies the bird described on this page.
Aimé Bonpland: A French botanist and explorer who traveled through South America with Alexander von Humboldt. Bonpland accompanied Humboldt during the expedition that brought oilbirds to European scientific notice.
Seed dispersal by animals: The transport of seeds by animals that eat or carry fruits and seeds. Oilbirds transport seeds between feeding sites and cave roosts.
Nocturnality: A pattern of activity concentrated during the night. Oilbirds leave cave roosts after dark to forage for fruit.
Frugivore: An animal whose diet consists primarily of fruit. Fruit makes up the oilbird’s diet and shapes its nightly movements.

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