Least Concern Birds

Yellow-billed Oxpecker

Buphagus africanus

Yellow-billed Oxpecker feeds on parasites on large mammals in African savannas.

Scientific name	Buphagus africanus
Swahili name	Kichwa-Huruma
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Buphagidae
Size	Male: approximately 42-50 grams; female: slightly lighter, approximately 40-48 grams

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How to identify

Yellow, robust bill; plumage mainly brown with grayish tones; head and neck darker; short tail; strong claws adapted for gripping large mammals

Habitat

Open woodland savanna, open grasslands, and shrublands; commonly found in areas with large mammal activity

Diet

Omnivorous, primarily feeds on parasites (such as ticks) found on large mammals; also consumes dead skin and blood

When it is active

Diurnal, active frequently during the day

Where it lives

Distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and parts of southern Africa; commonly seen in Maasai Mara National Reserve

How to spot it

Observe oxpecker activity on large mammals such as wildebeest and zebras; use telephoto lenses to capture details

Photography tips

Use soft morning or evening light to capture moments of interaction between oxpeckers and their host animals; use high shutter speed to capture flight action