oxpecker
noun
ox·peck·er
ˈäks-ˌpe-kər 
: either of two small dull-colored African birds (Buphagus erythrorhynchus and B. africanus) of the starling family that feed on ticks which they pick from the backs of infested cattle and wild mammals
Examples of oxpecker in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The oxpecker may cause further harm by opening the wounds and drinking the blood, a behavior that has earned them a reputation for being parasitic.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Despite the negative connotations of their blood-feeding behavior, oxpeckers are also known to offer a beneficial service to their mammalian hosts by removing parasites.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
The oxpecker birds seen on the giraffe's back and flying near it have a mutually beneficial relationship with the tall mammals.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Oct. 2022
The relationship between rhinos and oxpeckers goes way back.
—Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2020
Indeed, out of 100 rhino sightings, just 17 had oxpeckers perched on them.
—Eva Botkin-Kowacki, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2020
Even when oxpeckers were more plentiful, Dr. Knight says, the rhino population was being devastated.
—Eva Botkin-Kowacki, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2020
But according to a recent study, protection could come from an unlikely source: The small but mighty oxpecker.
—Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2020
Of those sightings, the majority—56—recorded oxpeckers perched on the animal’s hide.
—National Geographic, 9 Apr. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Despite the negative connotations of their blood-feeding behavior, oxpeckers are also known to offer a beneficial service to their mammalian hosts by removing parasites.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
The oxpecker birds seen on the giraffe's back and flying near it have a mutually beneficial relationship with the tall mammals.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Oct. 2022
The relationship between rhinos and oxpeckers goes way back.
—Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2020
Indeed, out of 100 rhino sightings, just 17 had oxpeckers perched on them.
—Eva Botkin-Kowacki, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2020
Even when oxpeckers were more plentiful, Dr. Knight says, the rhino population was being devastated.
—Eva Botkin-Kowacki, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2020
But according to a recent study, protection could come from an unlikely source: The small but mighty oxpecker.
—Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2020
Of those sightings, the majority—56—recorded oxpeckers perched on the animal’s hide.
—National Geographic, 9 Apr. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Oxpecker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxpecker. Accessed 21 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share