The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Red-billed Oxpecker
Afrikaans name: Rooibekrenostervoël
Photo © Steven Herbert
Buphagus erythrorhynchus
Oxpeckers are part of the Starling family.
Male and female look the same. Juveniles have a black bill and lack the yellow ring around the eye.
Red-billed Oxpeckers nest in cavities in trees where between 2 and 5 eggs are laid.
Oxpeckers feed mainly on ticks and blood. While it would seem that it is beneficial to the mammal to have ticks taken off it, the Oxpeckers do have a habit of keeping wounds open.
These birds are found in woodland and savanna.
The Red-billed Oxpecker is a common sight in game reserves like Kruger National Park. They can be seen clambering around the backs, necks, heads and butts of larger mammals such as Burchell's Zebras, Giraffes and Impala. They are also found on cattle in some farming areas.
Two species of Oxpecker are found in South Africa and they are similar in looks. The Red-billed Oxpecker is far more common than the Yellow-billed Oxpecker. The Red-billed Oxpecker has yellow round its eye and a completely red bill.
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 23Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 194
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 317
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 176
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 404
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 678
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 370
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 532
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 680
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 520
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 413
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 102
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 388
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 388
Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 26
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 290
Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 178
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 196
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 243
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 75
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 108
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 259
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 200
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 111
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 42
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 42
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 281