The Oxpeckers role in the Animal Kingdom

Is the Oxpecker a friend or foe to its larger mammal hosts? Take a look at one of the most fascinating relationships in the animal kingdom

[michaelmccarty]

I heard that they prioritize the fat ticks, meaning they like the blood more than they like the parasite itself. They've built up a good reputation as having a mutualistic relationship with their hosts, but they might actually do as much harm as they do good.

[Godsavethecrumpets]

is the oxpicker itself a parasite then? it doesnt lower the animals parasitic load, and will even keep old wounds from healing at the hosts expense.

[ltccherno]

I dunno why my recommended is flooded with Oxpeckers but I’m ok with it.

[KatEyze]

I had no clue they were as colorful as they are!

[explosive_nuclear_catz]

They're so cute
And their relationship with bigger animals is so fascinating!!

[poseidon]

Now I know why the practice of health clinics has a term wound expert doctors are often called the oxpeckers ❤

[NeilCrouse]

How can they not make a difference in their hosts tick infestation? I can understand that their fighting a losing battle, but they've GOT to help a little??

[CrashingWings]

This is a very interesting relationship.

[dub]

I clicked 1 oxpecker video... now im binging every single Yt video on em?!

[potaterjim]

"And if you look out to your right, you'll see a herd of Wildebeast, and about a dozen Oxpeckers"
"And just why would I be looking for those?"

[bkjeong]

There are studies that show oxpeckers are actually terrible at removing parasites, so I'd say they are parasitic on large mammals.

An avian mosquito basically

[macym]

The grooming bird, its relationship with the mammals is symbiotic 🐦 🐦‍⬛

[KossolaxtheForesworn]

if there is birds like this, pretty certain there was an equivalent on dinosaur time as well.
just imagine the biggest living thing on land covered in a million tiny little things eating parasites from its skin.

[bradleysmith]

I guess everyone has a role to play in the world, even oxpeckers.

[duedecimal]

pecker A: "honeyyyy, we good tonight? pick you up at eight?
pecker B: "of course. dinner on Bob's or Jim's back?
pecker A: "Jim, fatter bugs on him"

[زمجرةالأسد]

ما شاء الله... سبحان الله وبحمده سبحان الله العظيم....الله أكبر ولله الحمد....كم هو أحسن الخلق من جميع الخلايق

[CasperACE]

Hope to see more of this lady she pretty cool 😊

[_ladybird]

We see SO many of these birds every day, it's great to learn more about them 💕

[frankkolmann]

The bird eats ticks. When all the ticks are gone it has to eat something, so it eats the cows, small bites.

[MBC_XXIII]

Are you sure they not trying to "heal"/clean the injury?