From Opus

Photo by safariranger
Kruger National Park, South Africa, May 2006

Alternative name: Tickbird

Buphagus africanus

[edit] Identification

20 cm.

• Yellow bill with red tip
• Red eye
• Plain brown upperparts and head
• Buff underparts and pale rump

Sexes similar. Juveniles have first a yellow bill and a narrow yellow eyering, both becoming dark brown and eventually like adults within the first year.

[edit] Similar species

Red-billed Oxpecker has a red bill and a prominent yellow eyering.

Photo by Steve G
Kwinella, The Gambia, October 2008

[edit] Distribution

Found in Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa, except for forested areas in western and central Africa.
Far less common than Red-billed Oxpecker and tends to leave areas where cattle are treated to prevent ticks. As a result they're now mostly found in National Parks and Reserves.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two subspecies recognized:¹

• B. a. africanus

• Savanna of Africa south of the Sahara

• B. a. langi

• Gabon, western DRC and Congo

Hybrids with Red-billed Oxpecker have been recorded.

[edit] Habitat

Found in open savanna. Some trees are required for breeding and roosting.

[edit] Behaviour

Almost all of their time is spend on large mammals (wild animals and domesticated).
The diet includes insects and ticks. The primary host is buffalo, followed by giraffe, impala and warthog.
A co-operative breeder, a pair is assisted by several helpers, which help feed the young. It nests in tree holes lined with hair plucked from livestock. 2–3 eggs are laid.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
2. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507

• List of references

[edit] External Links