Oxpecker

Oxpecker

There are only 2 species of oxpecker. These birds spend their lives in close association with large African mammals, such as the giraffe, hippopotamus and antelope. Cleaning these animals, the oxpecker feeds on ticks, open wounded tissue and blood sucking flies. Oxpeckers are about 9 inches in length and have brown plumage. The 2 species can be distinguished by the colour of their bills--one being completely red, the other being predominantly yellow. [BM] {FW}