A special attraction of the Asa Wright Nature Centre is a breeding colony of the nocturnal Oilbird, or Guacharo (Steatornis caripensis). Located in Dunston Cave, a beautiful riparian grotto on the property, this is the only easily accessible colony known of this remarkable species. The World Wildlife Fund made a substantial contribution toward the establishment of the Centre in order to protect the colony. This protection has been very successful, and Dunston Cave maintains a stable colony. On the last Christmas Bird Count in December 1998, the colony had 142 adult birds. In June 1999 there were 33 chicks.
The Oilbird, first described by Alexander von Humboldt in 1799 after visiting a colony at Caripe in Northeastern Venezuela, is the only nocturnal, fruit-eating bird in the World. Found only in Northern South America and Trinidad, the Oilbird spends the daylight hours roosting or nesting in caves. At night they forage in the surrounding forests for the fruit of palms, laurels, incense and camphor. They often fly as far as 75 miles from their cave in search of food.
The name Oilbird comes from the young birds which become quite fat, often 50% heavier than their parents. These fat nestlings were collected and rendered down for their oil by indigenous people, and early settlers.
| The population of the Oilbird colony in Dunston Cave at the Asa Wright Nature Centre continues to be stable as shown by the figures below: | |
|---|---|
| 15 November, 1998 | 119 Adults |
| 29 December, 1998 | 142 Adults |
| 29 March, 1999 | 131 Adults and 3 chicks |
| 22 June, 1999 | 142 Adults and 33 chicksv |
| 20 October, 1999 | 141 Adults |
| 8 May, 2000 | 157 Adults and 17 chicks and 4 eggs |
| 29 December, 2000 | 134 Adults |
| 14 May, 20012001 | 105 Adults and 1 egg |
| 29 December, 2001 | 103 Adults and 2 eggs |
| 23 July, 2002 | 120 Adults and 5 chicks and 1 egg |
| 24 December, 2002 | 120 Adults |
| 4 June, 2003 | 129 Adults and 20 chicks and 2 eggs |
| 21 December, 2003 | 154 Adults |
| May and June are the months when the highest number of nestlings are to be found. The Oilbird Colony at the Asa Wright Nature Centre is the most accessible known colony of these unusual birds. |
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