Merriam-Webster.com
a nocturnal bird (Steatornis caripensis) of northern South America and Trinidad that is related to the nightjars, feeds chiefly on the fatty fruits of various palms, and has fatty young from which an oil used especially in cooking is extracted.
Webster’s New International Dictionary, Second Edition, Unabridged, 1957
Guacharo – a nocturnal bird (Steatornis caripensis) of northern South America and Trinidad that is related to the goatsuckers, and in some characters to the owls. It nests in caverns and feed upon fruits. An oil, used in place of butter, is extracted from the young by the natives, whence it is also called an oilbird.
USE IT“Oilbirds. A perfect babble of harsh cries fills the space, the beating of their wings like rushing wind.”
– Lidia Yuknavitch, The Book of Joan
Like bats, oilbirds use echolocation to navigate at night.
TEACH ITWould love to hear if you’ve ever encountered these birds, or had a chance to use this word.
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