Cumaca Oil-bird Caves

The Cumaca Oil-bird Caves is a large cave system nested in the folds of the southeastern area of the Northern Range, Trinidad in the quiet village of Cumaca. The one hour bumpy, dirt road drive to Cumaca starts two miles from Valencia Junction on the road to Toco. Along the way, there is the Turure Bridge, Cumaca Quarry and splendid views of the Central Plains.

Inside the cave

The caves are home to bats and Oil-birds (Steatornis caripensis). These are the only nocturnal fruit eating birds in the world. They forage at night, navigating by echo-location in the same way as bats, but with a high-pitched clicking sound audible to humans. Unlike other caves, the bats are difficult to spot and roosting takes place in side passages which are not accessible.

Cave creatures

The cave is also home to hypogean fishes. Most notably the semi-blind catfish, Rhamdia quelen or South American Catfish, which was at first believed to be a distinct cave species and was named Caecorhamdia urichi. But it is now known as a troglobite form of Rhamdia quelen, with reduced eye size and reduced pigmentation.

On route

The journey to the caves takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from where the vehicles are parked. The trail passes through an abandoned cocoa estate and in some areas there are concrete crossings that have been over-taken by erosion and forest growth. Showing evidence of once a thriving estate, a dilapidated house sits in the middle of the forest. Venturing inside the cave is optional and requires the use of a headlamp and getting wet. 

Resting Oil-bird

The main attraction is the Guarcharo Cave, which has the largest oil-bird colony in Trinidad. Flowing through the cave is the start of the Oropuche River that emerges from an underground source in the vicinity of Aripo. 

Bats inside cave

On the walls of each side of the cavern, the oil-bird's nest in their hundreds and the sight of upcoming visitors send them into frenzy. Avoid shinning light on the birds as this disturbs them. The cave approximately 200 metres long, consists of three chambers and to access the third requires one to bend under the rocks. A variety of bats are housed in the caves and in the last chamber fascinating nocturnal fishes are found. 

Oil-bird ready to take flight

On the return, one can divert from the main path and head towards the river to see the sulphur springs, situated at the confluence of the Rio Grande and Oropuche River. After the hike, there is an option to take a refreshing bath in the River.

Fun Facts:

In 1911, United States 26th President Theodore Roosevelt visited the caves. 

Native Amerindians would use the oil from the birds to provide fuel for lamps.

A blind white catfish reported originally thought to be a species (Caecorhamdia urichi) unique to the cave, is now thought to be a cave-dwelling morph of the common catfish Rhamdia quelen.