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Wednesday, June 21, 2017

OILBIRDS, CAVE AT ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE, ARIMA, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

   We can ID these birds as Oilbirds by the known location of this breeding colony in this cave at Asa Wright, generally brownish color, shape of adult birds (see adult bird in upper left of first photo), white spots on wings and hooked bills.  In the first photo you can see both adults and chicks.  You can also see eggs in this photo.
   The name Oilbird comes from the young birds which become quite fat.  They often become 50% heavier than their parents.  In the past, these fat birds were collected and rendered down for their oil by indigenous people and early settlers. 
  The Oilbird is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 578.
   




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