The red-billed oxpecker, known scientifically as Buphagus erythrorynchus, is a passerine bird distinguished by its mutualistic relationship with large mammals. It is a member of the Buphagidae family, characterized by its striking red bill.
Adult red-billed oxpeckers exhibit a sharp contrast between their red bills and predominantly brown plumage. Juveniles, however, are darker in color and possess an olive bill that transitions to the adult's red as they mature, a process taking approximately four months. In flight, these birds are robust and purposeful, easily recognized by their hissy, crackling calls.
The red-billed oxpecker is a denizen of the open savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa, where it thrives in the expansive grasslands dotted with acacia trees.
