Oxpeckers

Post by **nan** » Sun Jan 08, 2017 10:06 pm

well done, superbe

Post by **Mel** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 8:49 am

Hahaha... the one sitting on the bull's horns... hahaha...

Post by **Scipio** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 10:47 am

Found a regular nesting site outside Olifants camp 3 years ago. Still there.

Post by **leachy** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 10:59 am

tamboti december 2016

Post by **BluTuna** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 11:33 am

Wow, these used to be seen only in the far north of the Park.

I don't think I've ever seen one south of Letaba.

Post by **nan** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 5:49 pm

wow Leachy, well done $O/\$

Post by **Mel** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 7:24 pm

Chicks being fed... awesome!

Post by **Dzombo** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 4:09 pm

ExFmem wrote:Did you ever find your Yellow-billed Oxpeckers, Dzombo?

Only seen this now

I did see a YBO.
On a herd of some very emaciated Buffalo at the top end of the S28.
It was among a flock of about 20 RBO, and there was only the 1 YBO.

Post by **Lisbeth** » Thu Jul 12, 2018 4:52 pm

This bird species has made a remarkable comeback to the Karoo

2018-07-11 12:30 - Gabi Zietsman

Eight years since the red-billed oxpecker was reintroduced to Mountain Zebra National Park on the Cradock side, all indications show that the species has successfully returned to the region.

The cute little bird you normally spot feasting on the ticks and flies on wild animals has been spotted regularly in the park and on surrounding farms - even as far as Graaff-Reinet - and it all started with a small group of 40 birds introduced to the park in 2010. Previous reintroductions were made in other conservation areas like Addo Elephant National Park.

While thriving in place like Kruger, the oxpecker was wiped out in Eastern Cape in the early 1900s because while it enjoy snacking down with a wild animal, it also like to take out the ticks on livestock. Unfortunately, livestock was dipped in toxic chemicals and the poor critters were poisoned due to their sensitivity to organophosphates found in these pesticides and other fertilisers.

Today, avid birdwatchers in the park and farmers in surrounding areas have spotted their red beaks all over, and for the first time a study will be started to monitor the populations, focusing on raising awareness, as well as looking into whether a similar reintroduction can be made to the Graaf-Reinet side of the park.

Oxpeckers are important for controlling pests and keeping their animals friends itch-free, by eating almost a hundred blood-filled ticks, even 12 000 larvae, a day. They do however also crave blood and can pick at open wounds of animals, taking longer than heal.

They still play a vital role in the ecosystem, and hopefully we'll be seeing more of them in the future.

https://www.traveller24.com/Explore/Gre ... o-20180711

Post by **Richprins** » Fri Nov 23, 2018 8:32 am

Kruger Sightings
‏Verified account @LatestKruger
17h17 hours ago

15:20
Yellow-billed oxpeckers on a giraffe
H4-2, 200m S of Vurhami Bridge
Near Crocodile Bridge
Vis 5/5
Tinged by Arun - Legend Safaris

Africa Wild

Oxpeckers

Re: Yellow Billed Oxpecker-South/Central Kruger

Re: Yellow Billed Oxpecker-South/Central Kruger

Re: Yellow Billed Oxpecker-South/Central Kruger

Re: Yellow Billed Oxpecker-South/Central Kruger

Re: Yellow Billed Oxpecker-South/Central Kruger

Re: Yellow Billed Oxpecker-South/Central Kruger

Re: Yellow Billed Oxpecker-South/Central Kruger

Re: Yellow Billed Oxpecker-South/Central Kruger

Oxpeckers

Re: Yellow Billed Oxpecker-South/Central Kruger