Yellow-billed Oxpecker

The Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus africanus, is a passerine bird, a member of the Buphagidae family. It is a bird of the savannah, easily recognized by its strong, direct flight and the distinctive yellow and red bill in adults, with juveniles sporting a brown bill.

Identification Tips

Adult Yellow-billed Oxpeckers measure around 20 cm in length. They exhibit plain brown upperparts and head, with buff underparts and a pale rump. The bill is a notable feature, yellow at the base and red at the tip in adults. Their feet are robust, adapted to their unique lifestyle.

Habitat

This species thrives in the savannah regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, where it can be found perching on large mammals.

Distribution

The Yellow-billed Oxpecker is native to Sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal east to Sudan and down to northeast South Africa. It is less common in the eastern extremes of its range.

Behaviour

Outside of breeding season, Yellow-billed Oxpeckers are quite sociable, forming large, chattering flocks. They have a symbiotic relationship with large mammals, feeding on the parasites found on these animals. At night, non-breeding birds may roost on their host animals.

Song & Calls

The call of the Yellow-billed Oxpecker is a hissy, crackling "krisss, krisss," which can be heard as they go about their activities.

Breeding

Breeding Yellow-billed Oxpeckers nest in tree holes, which they line with hair plucked from livestock. They lay clutches of 2-3 eggs.

Similar Species

The Yellow-billed Oxpecker can be confused with the Red-billed Oxpecker, but the yellow base of the bill is a distinguishing feature.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists primarily of insects and ticks, with a particular penchant for blood. They may consume over 100 engorged female ticks or thousands of larvae in a single day. They also feed on blood directly by pecking at wounds on their host mammals.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Yellow-billed Oxpecker as Least Concern, indicating a stable population.