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Definition of oilbird

oilbird

/ˈɔɪl.bɜːrd/
oil · bird
Plural:oilbirds
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oilbird Lexical Profile

oilbird Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A nocturnal, fruit-eating bird (Steatornis caripensis) native to the northern regions of South America and the Caribbean island of Trinidad, known for roosting in caves and navigating using a form of echolocation.

Example

"During their expedition to the Dunston Cave in Trinidad, the researchers recorded the clicking sounds the oilbird uses to navigate through the total darkness."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for oilbird

• Nearby Words

oiapoque
oil
oil-fired
oilbird
oilcan
oilcloth
oiler

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from 'oil' + 'bird'. The name refers to the historical practice of indigenous peoples and early settlers harvesting the extremely fat chicks to boil them down, extracting a clear, odorless oil used for lighting and cooking.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Oilbird. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/oilbird
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