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Red billed oxpecker


Red billed oxpecker
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul van Slooten (pvs) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-30
Categories: Birds
Camera: Sony Alfa dSLR A700, Sony 300mm F2.8 G, Digital RAW 200, bean bag
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Krugerpark October 2008
Date Submitted: 2009-02-09 1:29
Viewed: 976
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
On one of the last days I had the opportunity to make a nice close up on this oxpecker as we found an impala which was very cooperative and did not bother us as we stopped by,hope you like this one,

In Afrikaans the Oxpecker is called the Renostervoël, which means Rhino Bird (also known as the tickbird), but it may as well be called a Buffalo Bird because it spends so much time on them.

These little birds can be found wherever you see buffalo, rhino, giraffe, impala and other game.

There are two types: the Red-billed and Yellow-billed. They look very similar except the Yellow-billed has a yellow bill (with a red tip) - easy! The Red-billed variety also has a distinctive yellow ring around its eyes.

Where to look for the Rhinoceros Bird
The Red-billed Oxpecker is more common than the Yellow-billed.

You won't have to look very hard, you should find them where ever you see game. They clamber about on their hosts, searching for ticks and blood-sucking flies. It does not bother the host animal, in fact this parasite-cleaning service is just what the doctor's ordered.

They live in flocks and may sometimes be seen gathering on one animal before flying off.

They roost in their flock, and even help feeding each other's offspring.

Taking Oxpecker Pictures on Safari
You will need to be quick on the trigger to get decent pictures of these birds because their hosts normally move off when you get closer with your safari vehicle.

Your best bet is often a herd of impala because they are used to vehicles and not so skittish. Once you have isolated the animal on which the bird is feeding you will still need to be quick because it can fly away at any moment to another animal further away.
Tamrock, robindb, Juyona, thor68, CatStevens has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Paul,
Excelent photo, superb colors and details, wonderful depht of field and very good POV. Good job.
Best whishes,
Gabi

Hello Paul,
excellent shot of Red billed oxpecker! I like composition, great details, colours and BG.

Best regards, Leonid

nice one paul!
amazing bird this!
sharp with a very nice background
good work!

Hi Paul,

Very good photo, your patience was rewarded and your story is so true, as you are ready to take a photo either the animal moves away or the bird flies.

TFS

Robin

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3808 W: 190 N: 11328] (34927)
  • [2009-02-09 7:27]

Hello Paul,
This is a superb capture, the closest I have seen, of a Red-billed Oxpecker taken from an ideal POV with great sharpness and lighting against a fine neutral BG. Ideal composition too.
Well done and TFS.
Greetings from a continued dark Scania, though we did have a little sun this morning.
Ivan

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2384 W: 94 N: 5493] (17500)
  • [2009-02-09 8:04]

Hallo Paul,
Prachtige foto van deze Roodsnavelossenpikker in een fantastische houding. Mooie zachte kleuren en erg goede scherpte. Goede diepte in de foto. Ik heb ze vaak gezien maar nooit zo dichtbij.
Groet,
Peter

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 645 W: 15 N: 1577] (6149)
  • [2009-02-09 10:18]

Hello Paul
Nice capture, good details and natural colors.
Regards.
Razvan

Hi Paul,
that's fantastic, this bird is beautiful and I like to see it sitting on an animal.
Also a pretty pose, very good shot, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2261 W: 10 N: 2629] (15559)
  • [2009-02-09 11:14]

Hola Paul,
magnífica captura y excelente color y definición,
saludos

  • Great 
  • thor68 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 792 W: 138 N: 1312] (5642)
  • [2009-02-09 13:52]

excellent capture! :-) totally caught in the action - looks like the oxpecker is pecking an
ox (or something like that). what a pretty grey bird with a remarkable eye coloring and
nice red bill. well seen & captured, thor.

Hello Paul,

Very good capture of this interesting bird
TFS
Mark

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