Skip to main content

Red-Billed Oxpecker

Buphagus erythrorhynchus

Photo by Tiz
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-26.2878, 31.879

Field Notes

Description:

Red-billed oxpeckers: vampires or tickbirds? These small birds feed almost exclusively on what they can glean from the skin of large African mammals. Their diet includes ixodid ticks, dead skin, mucus, saliva, sweat and tears, but most of all, the prefer blood! I found one "caught in action", drinking blood from a wound by the tail... The Red-Billed Oxpecker belong to the starling and myna family.

Habitat:

On White Rhinos close to a waterhole.

Notes:

Their preferred food is blood, and while they may take ticks bloated with blood, they also feed on it directly, pecking at the mammal's wounds to keep them open to more parasites. Oxpecker/mammal interactions are the subject of some debate and ongoing research. They were originally thought to be an example of mutualism, but recent evidence suggests that oxpeckers may be parasites instead. (read more here http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/11/2/154.full) Photo taken at Hlane Royal National Park, Swaziland

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (22)
Tiz
Dear Daniele, this is great news and I am deeply thankful that the photo could support the theme. I am alive and kicking, even if my camera is collecting dust home in Sweden. I am Currently working in South Sudan, a very rich country when it comes to wildlife, but regime restriction on cameras and a big governmental fear for reporters and photographers. One day though, I hope that the nature reserves here can be re-opened and tourism allowed... Warm regards Tina
DanielePralong
We hope you're well Tina! What an amazing series of shots, with great information about these oxpeckers. Congratulations, we've chosen this spotting to illustrate our 2019 Beast Wildlife Photo mission with a special theme on interactions between species: "We're launching our 2019 Best Wildlife Photo competition, with a special theme: interactions between species. Following our Habitat theme last year, this year we wish to bring attention to the “N” in Noah (Networked organisms and habitats), and we want our members to emphasize species interactions. We've all heard of the Web of Life: ecosystems are made up of living organisms and non-living matter, where all life forms depend on all the other elements for continued survival. Whether it’s symbiotic relationships, predation, food supply, pollinators in action or any other type of interaction, show it in your shots and notes. To enter the competition join this mission and add it in your spottings: https://buff.ly/2WIJPd8 Winners of our 2018 competition will be announced throughout February". Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/a.10150595289465603/10161433645450603/?type=3&theater&ifg=1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/1091424820473016320
Tiz
Joined! I am happy to suppot you in any way I can! Keep that spirit, you are doing a fantastic work :)
Smith Zoo
Wow Tiz! I missed this spot!!! Stunning! I see you have already added it to 5 missions, but you are welcome to add it the Rhinos of the World mission if you wanted to!
Tiz
Thank you both Rubens and Johan, for your dear comments :) Johan, an open, bleeding wound is harder for bacteria to thrive in. But it might be that the birds contribute to some kind of antibacterial process as well. It will be interesting to follow the research in this "collaboration relationship".
Johan Heyns
I like the fact that you cropped the photos to concentrate on the subject. I'm of the opinion that the relationship is beneficial because the bird keep the wounds open which prevents festering. Almost like a nurse tending to a wound.
Tiz
Then you are a fan of a fan! That must be the best combo there is :)
Sckel
Superb. I'm your fan, Ms.Tina
Tiz
But nature is clever, there is for sure more to gain from this mutual relationship than there is to loose.
Tiz
No they let them climb around quite undisturbed. The smallest mammals they "clean" are the Impala, and they could easily get rid of them if they wanted to. When it comes to the rhinos, they did became a bit irritated every now and then, but the reaction was more like a fly on a horse... They one sitting by the wound were brushed away by the tail once, but came back. They were also flying into the ears, and they were allowed to be in there for a few seconds before they moved the ear to get rid of it... I understand that there must be a lot of energy they gain from the body liquids, especially blood.
LaurenZarate
Maybe they keep the animal wounds free of fly larvae?
LaurenZarate
It is hard to believe they would be so vicious to their host and the poor things can't get rid of them. Do the mammals exhibit fear or attempt to avoid the birds? You know like how horses run from Tabanids?
LaurenZarate
This is really neat Tina. These birds are actually opportunistic and the blood thing is actually common, even in insects. If it's there and liquid then it's a good source of food. Beautiful pictures and information!
HemaShah
not like the cattle egret, I suppose,which is beneficial.
Tiz
Amazing feedback from you Gilma Jeannette Ospino Ferreira-Norman! Living creatures are not always at pretty as they look... I hope you have found some more interesting information :) Best regards Tina
Gilma Jeannette Ospino Ferreira-Norman
Thank you so much for posting those beautiful pictures and arising my curiosity, Tiz. Hard to believed...it is easy to see why it is the subject of debate...I will read some more about it before I believe a bird would keep it's host wound open to feed and that it also feeds on blood. : o
Tiz
I am happy you liked the spotting :) This bird is not as nice as it looks!!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Birds of the World
Mission
Symbiotic Relationships
Mission
Birds of Africa
Mission
Rhinos of The World
Mission
Mission WILD

Tags

Photographed
PublishedAugust 4, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies