Buphagus – Oxpecker

These birds live in the savannas and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. They have strong claws for gripping onto animals, and their tails are stiff to help them balance while they perch on moving hosts. The yellow-billed oxpecker has a bright yellow beak with a red tip, while the red-billed oxpecker’s beak is completely red. Both have brownish-gray bodies and pale underparts, with bright red or yellow eyes surrounded by a colorful ring.

These birds are famous for their relationship with large mammals such as buffalo, giraffes, antelope, and even domestic cattle. They feed mostly on ticks, fleas, dead skin, and sometimes drink blood from small wounds, making them regular companions of these animals. Their calls are sharp, chatty, and constant—almost like they’re always announcing their presence.

What makes these birds truly unique is their close connection with mammals. Unlike most birds that forage in trees, grass, or the air, oxpeckers get almost all their food from the backs of animals. They aren’t just visiting—these birds spend hours riding on their hosts. They pick off parasites like ticks and even keep an eye on open wounds, sometimes feeding from them. This behavior may sound a bit strange, but it can help animals by reducing parasite loads. Their beaks are specially shaped to pick ticks off efficiently, and their feet are made for clinging to fur even as animals walk or run.

Oxpeckers also act as a natural warning system: their sharp alarm calls can alert animals to danger, such as predators. While this relationship is mostly helpful, it’s not entirely one-sided—oxpeckers sometimes keep wounds open for longer than necessary, which can annoy their hosts. Still, they play a unique role in their environment that no other bird quite fills.