There are few birds as iconic in the African bushveld as the Oxpecker. On a game drive at Londolozi, spotting these small yet tenacious birds darting across the backs of buffalo or perched on a zebra’s flank is almost inevitable. Their constant presence makes it easy to take them for granted, yet their role in the ecosystem is both intricate and fascinating.
A friend or a foe? There appears to be a severe amount of ticks on this particular buffalo back. What could be the cause of this gathering?
At first glance, oxpeckers appear to be nature’s diligent caretakers. With their sharp claws gripping onto thick hides, they meticulously pick off ticks, dead skin, and other irritants, offering relief to their much larger hosts. There are two species found here—the red-billed oxpecker, which is more commonly seen on antelope like impala, zebra, and giraffe, and the yellow-billed oxpecker, which tends to favor the bulkier bodies of rhinos and buffalo.
A diagram highlighting the difference between the two species of Oxpecker. You’ll notice the Yellow-billed oxpecker has a broader bill with a yellow base and a red eye.
But as with most things in nature, the story of the oxpecker is not as simple as it seems. While their tick-eating tendencies have long been celebrated as a perfect example of mutualism—a relationship where both parties benefit—recent research suggests their interactions with large mammals exist on a deeper level.
Kng Oxpecker Zebra
A red-billed oxpecker perched on the back of a zebra
Oxpeckers are opportunists, and when ticks are scarce, their seemingly helpful nature can take a darker turn. Instead of simply removing parasites, they have been observed pecking at open wounds, feeding on blood, and even preventing injuries from healing properly. This behavior is particularly evident in domestic cattle, where their actions shift from beneficial to outright parasitic, a stark contrast to their relationship with wild animals that have evolved alongside them for millennia.
A buffalo cow absolutely covered in oxpeckers. Although often forming a symbiotic relationship with large herbivores, oxpeckers can actually be detrimental to their health at times, keeping wounds open and opening up old ones.
Some hosts, like impalas and waterbuck, seem to recognize this dual nature and frequently attempt to shake the birds off, while others, like buffalo, remain relatively tolerant. The dynamic between oxpeckers and their hosts is an ever-changing one, influenced by species, environment, and resource availability.
A pair of red-billed oxpeckers plucks hair from an impala lamb. These birds will often gather hair as nesting material from their host animals.
This unique relationship makes us rethink how species interact. Nature is rarely simple, and the oxpecker’s role is a perfect example of this complexity. These birds help their hosts but can also harm them when it benefits their own survival.
Very interesting information on the Oxpecker birds. I did not realize that they also peck at open wounds and sometimes open old wounds on their hosts. The photography is sharp and beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Joel for the comment.
Interesting article and great photos, Nick!
Thanks Christa!
Very interesting Nick! I’ve only heard mention of the positive impacts of oxpeckers, never the detrimental. The complexity of nature never ceases to amaze.
That’s very true ! Often Ox peckers will have a positive impact on their hosts however, they tend to take advantage when there are large open wounds.
Hi Nick, we have the oxpeckers here on the reserve feeding on the herbivores ticks and parasites. We have a Nyala bull that comes and visits us everyday, we feed him and then he lies down here in front of our veranda on the grass. The oxpeckers come and sit on him and clean him up very nicely. I see if the bull has an open wound, they do pick on it and feed on the blood. They do good work the oxpeckers but should not pick on the open wounds.
Thanks for sharing Valmai
Thanks for the education about those great-looking birds Nick!
Its a Pleasure!