Oxpeckers

Oxpeckers, comprising two species within the genus Buphagus, are unique birds native to the savannas of Sub-Saharan Africa. Originally grouped with starlings, they are now considered a distinct lineage, possibly originating from Eastern or Southeast Asia, and have characteristics of living fossils due to their ancient lineage and one-of-a-kind adaptations. These birds are named for their behavior of perching on large mammals like cattle, zebras, and giraffes, feeding on ticks, insects, and blood from wounds, which casts their role as either mutualistic or parasitic. In Swahili, the red-billed oxpecker is known as "Askari wa kifaru," meaning "the rhino's guard." Oxpeckers prefer open habitats and avoid deserts and rainforests. Their diet largely consists of ectoparasites from large mammals, and their interactions with these hosts are varied; some animals tolerate the birds while others do not. The oxpeckers' breeding season aligns with the rainy season, and they roost in natural cavities or on their mammalian hosts. The red-billed and yellow-billed oxpeckers are the two species identified, both of which are present in much of East Africa.