In sub-Saharan Africa, red-billed oxpeckers feed on the parasites of rhinos and more than 20 other species of mammal. Now, new research suggests the birds may also serve as sentinels that help rhinos avoid humans—and potentially poachers.
What does a rhino do for an oxpecker?
The little oxpecker (“askari wa kifaru” or “the rhino's guard” in Swahili) “cleans” the rhino by plucking ticks from Kifaru's skin , but does so selectively; he prefers big, fat ticks that are already engorged with blood, ignoring the little ones that irritate Kifaru just as badly.
What kind of birds sit on rhinos?
Red-billed oxpeckers hitching rides on the backs of black rhinos are a common sight in the African bush. The birds are best known for feeding from lesions full of ticks or other parasites on a rhino's hide.
What is a rhino bird?
The adorable oxpecker , perched on the back of a rhinoceros or zebra, happily having lunch while ridding its ride of pesky ticks, flies and other bugs. ... While it is true that oxpeckers do eat bugs, they also eat rhinos, and zebras and giraffes, and whatever other large animals they can hang out with.
Why is it called oxpecker?
The name combines the Ancient Greek words bous “ox” and -phagos “eating” . According to the more recent studies of Muscicapoidea phylogeny, the oxpeckers are an ancient line related to Mimidae (mockingbirds and thrashers) and starlings but not particularly close to either.
Why do birds sit on elephants?
Oxpeckers are birds that land on elephants, where they eat lice, ticks, and other parasites living on elephants' skin and hair. This symbiotic relationship benefits the elephant by removing irritating pests that can spread disease, and the oxpecker also benefits by getting an easy meal.
What animals eat oxpeckers?
Members. Oxpeckers are birds that ride on animals' backs to peck and eat insects and parasites. The animal is cleaned and the oxpeckers are getting food. This only occurs with herbivores, such as zebras and gazelles , as to avoid being eaten by carnivorous animals such as lions and cheetahs.
Do oxpeckers drink blood?
Vampire Finches do not consume blood exclusively. ... Not only do oxpeckers obtain blood indirectly via ticks , but they're known to peck at wounds and feed on blood and tissue, apparently keeping the wounds open for this purpose. View a photo of a Red-billed Oxpecker on a giraffe.
Do rhinos protect oxpeckers?
Red-billed oxpeckers that feed on rhinos' ticks alert them to approaching humans , likely helping the poor-sighted animals survive.
Do oxpeckers warn rhinos?
Rhinos have very poor vision but oxpeckers can see exceptionally well and issue a shrill alarm call which can warn the rhinos of potential danger.
Do lions eat birds?
Lions are carnivores , which means they are animals that only eat meat. Some of the types of prey they catch include birds, hares, turtles, mice, lizards, wild hogs, wild dogs, antelopes, cheetahs, buffaloes, leopards, crocodiles, baby elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, and even tall giraffes!
Are tick birds real?
Although they are called tickbirds, yellow-billed oxpeckers aren't actually birds that are mistaken for ticks . They are only called tick birds because they eat ticks, among other things. To many, they are simply the courageous bird that sits on a rhino, feeding endlessly.
Are rhinos blind?
Are rhinos blind? Rhinos are known for their poor eyesight but aren't actually blind . This explains why they sometimes charge without threats or reason.
Do oxpeckers eat elephants?
10. On what animals does the oxpecker feed? Oxpeckers feed on large mammals like rhinos, zebras, hippos, cape buffalo, elephants, giraffes and wildebeests. In domestic areas, they'll feed from cattle and other farm animals.
Why do birds sit on giraffes?
“ It's a very safe, comfortable place for the birds .” Palmer, who led a new study on these giraffe “bed and breakfasts” in the African Journal of Ecology, believes the roosting may also be a territorial maneuver to deter competitors. Yellow-billed oxpeckers sleep on a giraffe in this nighttime camera trap picture.
Do birds eat parasites?
Just as there are carnivorous and herbivorous mammals, there are also many classes or orders of birds. ... The simple answer is: birds crave protein, but birds eat worms for a variety of other reasons as well. Worms are readily available in nature for birds to feed on and worms are quite easy to catch.”
