Oilbird Steatornithidae
Oilbirds are the sole member of their family. They are unique in the fact that they are nocturnal frugivores and use echolocation for navigating in dark caves. They nest in caves and narrow, dark gorges and may fly long distances at night to find fruiting trees.

Steatornis

This species is the only member of the family.

I first observed the amazing Oilbirds Steatornis caripensis during a 1992 trip to Trinidad. This was during the time that I placed my photography on a very long hiatus. Sixteen years later, I returned to the world famous Dunston Cave (actually a narrow grotto), for the sole purpose of photographing this species. This is no easy task as flash photography is not allowed. You have to view the birds with a local guide and they are only allowed to use dull flash lights to illuminate the birds in the darkness. This bird was one of about a dozen that I observed in Dunston Cave, located on the grounds of the Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad.




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Tony@artfullbirds.com