The Oxpeckers are two species of passerine, both making their home in the open savannah of sub-Saharan Africa. They feed almost exclusively from the bodies of large herbivorous mammals. Diet consists predominantly of ticks and other parasitic insects, although research shows that they also open wounds and enlarge existing ones, drinking the blood of the mammal. This suggests a rather less-than mutalistic relationship. Some hosts actively try and dislodge their Oxpecker hitch-hikers. Courtship and mating occur on the back of the host, during the rainy season. Nests are built in cavities: both tree and rock, and up to five eggs are laid.
This is the Red-billed species.
Note: I will not be drawing an Ox, even though this is the most commonly associated mammal with the letter "O". This is because Ox are not actually a species - although some species are called "wild oxen" as a colloquiolism. Officially, Ox are neutered bull cattle. Therefore, they do not qualify for this project.
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