# Oxpecker (*Buphagus africanus*) Oxpeckers are small birds that help keep other animals clean by eating ticks and insects off their skin. They have a special relationship with large mammals like rhinos and buffaloes, where they get food and the animals get pest control. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Tickbird ![Oxpecker](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424584/objects/6283.jpg) ## Appearance The Oxpecker has dull brown plumage with a paler rump and a distinctive bright yellow bill that often features a red tip. Its strong, dark legs and sharp claws are adapted for clinging securely to the hide of large mammals. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Family:** Buphagidae - **Genus:** Buphagus ## Interesting facts - An oxpecker can help a rhino by loudly warning it of approaching danger! - Oxpeckers will drink the blood from open wounds of their large mammal hosts! - Their scientific name, \*Buphagus\*, literally means "ox-eater" or "cow-eater"! - They sometimes eat earwax and dandruff directly from their giant companions! ## Special abilities - **Living Latch:** Oxpecker has strong feet and sharp, curved claws that help them cling securely to the hide of large animals as they move. - **Tick Terminator:** Oxpecker can expertly remove ticks and other parasites because of their specialized, flattened bill, acting like tiny tweezers. - **Alarm Announcer:** Oxpecker can make distinct alarm calls that help them warn their large mammal hosts of approaching predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-22 cm - **Wingspan:** 33-38 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.07 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-12 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-5 - **Incubation:** 12-14 days ## Diet & Feeding These birds mostly eat ticks and other insects they pick off large mammals, sometimes even drinking blood. - **Primary Foods:** Ticks, Other parasites (fleas, flies), Blood (from wounds), Earwax, Dandruff - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** [African Buffalo](https://www.snappit.app/explore/african-buffalo) (*Syncerus caffer*) — Removes ticks and other parasites from its hide. - **Symbiotic with:** [Black Rhinoceros](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rhinoceros) (*Diceros bicornis*) — Provides pest control and alarm calls for the large mammal. - **Eats:** Bont Tick (*Amblyomma hebraeum*) — A primary food source, found clinging to mammal hosts. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Symbiotic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/symbiotic): Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching oxpeckers from a safe distance to not disturb them or the animals they help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Oxpecker? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Oxpecker? 20-22 cm ### What is Oxpecker's wingspan? 33-38 cm ### How much does Oxpecker weigh? 0.05-0.07 kg ### How long does Oxpecker live? 8-12 years ### How fast can Oxpecker move? 50 km/h ### What does Oxpecker eat? These birds mostly eat ticks and other insects they pick off large mammals, sometimes even drinking blood. ### Where is Oxpecker usually found? Grasslands ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Oxpecker: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oxpecker)