Buphagus Africanus Collection

Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus (African buphaga, Buphaga africana)
FLO4683290 Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus (African buphaga, Buphaga africana). Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder

Yellow Billed Oxpeckers, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Oxpecker sitting on the forehead of an African Cape Buffalo in the Msai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, East Africa, Africa

A hippo basks in a mud wallow
Tanzania, Katavi National Park. A hippo basks in a mud wallow as the Katuma River dries at the end of the long dry season in the Katavi National Park

Group of Yellow-billed Oxpeckers on a donkey, Buphagus africanus

Yellow-billed Oxpecker on a cow, Buphagus africanus

Yellow-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus africanus) on the back of an African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Tsavo, Kenya, East Africa, Africa

Yellow-billed oxpecker (Buphagus africanus) on a Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Kruger National Park, South Africa, Africa

Cape buffalo faces camera, close up, large horns, with yellow ox pecker bird on its shoulder, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

African forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) with yellow-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus africanus) clinging to its flanks, Parc de la Lekedi, Haut-Ogooue, Gabon, Africa

Cape buffalo and yellow-billed oxpecker C018 / 9223
Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) with yellow-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus africanus) eating flies from its face. This bird feeds on ticks

Buphagus africanus, yellow-billed oxpecker
This medium-sized African bird is best know for riding on large mammals to search for insects, including parasitical larvae buried in their hides

Cape Buffalo CRH 127 With Yellow-billed Oxpecker removing parasites - Chobe
CRH-127 AFRICAN / CAPE BUFFALO - With Yellow-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus africanus) removing parasites Chobe, Botswana Syncerus caffer Syncerus caffer & Buphagus africanus Chris Harvey contact details

Cape buffalo and yellow-billed oxpecker
Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) with a yellow-billed oxpecker (Buphagus africanus) sitting on its horns. This bird feeds on ticks and other parasites which it finds on the hides of buffalo

Southern Giraffe - with Oxpeckers (Buphagus africanus) Botswana, Africa
CRH-436 Southern Giraffe - with Oxpeckers (Buphagus africanus) Botswana, Africa. Giraffa camelopardalis Chris Harvey Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

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"Buphagus africanus: The Helpful Hitchhikers of African Wildlife" In the vast wilderness of Africa, specifically in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, a fascinating sight unfolds. A mighty hippopotamus lounges in a refreshing pool with its massive mouth wide open, showcasing its formidable presence. Nearby, a black rhinoceros or hook-lipped rhinoceros roams gracefully through the untamed terrain. Venturing further into Botswana's Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve, we encounter an intriguing scene. Perched on the forehead of an African Cape Buffalo in the Msai Mara National Park is a diligent yellow-billed oxpecker. These birds are known for their symbiotic relationship with larger animals as they feed on parasites that inhabit their hides. Moving across Tanzania's Tarangire National Park and Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy, we witness more captivating interactions between wildlife and these helpful hitchhikers. A reticulated giraffe stands tall amidst the savannah while yellow-billed oxpeckers diligently groom it to rid it of bothersome insects. The African buffalo also benefits from this unique partnership as yellow-billed oxpeckers meticulously attend to their grooming needs. Whether it be wallowing hippos or warthogs enjoying mud baths, these birds can always be found perched upon them, ensuring cleanliness and protection against pests. Even domesticated animals like donkeys and cows do not escape the watchful eyes of Buphagus africanus. Grouped together on a donkey or resting comfortably on a cow's back, these feathered companions continue their vital role in maintaining hygiene within Africa's diverse animal kingdom. As we marvel at nature’s intricate web of interdependence, Buphagus africanus emerges as an unsung hero – tirelessly serving as nature’s pest control squad while forging unbreakable bonds with some of Africa’s most iconic creatures.