guacharo

American  

[gwah-chuh-roh] / ˈgwɑ tʃəˌroʊ /

noun

plural

guacharos

1. a nocturnal, fruit-eating, South American bird, Steatornis caripensis, the young of which yield an oil derived from their fat.

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guacharo British  

/ ˈɡwɑːtʃəˌrəʊ /

noun

1. another name for oilbird

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Etymology

Origin of guacharo

First recorded in 1820–30; from South American Spanish guácharo, from guacho “vagabond,” from Quechua wakcha “orphan, poor person” (perhaps because of the bird's sad-sounding cries)

Example Sentences

The Indians assured us that the guacharo does not pursue either the lamellicornous insects or those phalaenae which serve as food to the goatsuckers.

From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 1 by Ross, Thomasina

These caves are frequented by a species of night-hawk, called guacharo, which nests in the recesses of the rocks.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 3 "Capefigue" to "Carneades" by Various

Our Alpine crow builds its nest near the top of Mount Libanus, in subterranean caverns, nearly like the guacharo.

From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 1 by Ross, Thomasina

The nocturnal birds of Europe are lean, because, instead of feeding on fruits, like the guacharo, they live on the scanty produce of their prey.

From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 1 by Ross, Thomasina

The plumage of the guacharo is of a dark bluish grey, mixed with small streaks and specks of black.

From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 1 by Ross, Thomasina