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.
