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 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
Birds such as oxpeckers, for example, ride on the back of the buffalo and eat lice, fleas, and other parasites while getting a lift.
—Kylie Mohr, National Geographic, 9 Nov. 2019
The oxpecker birds of Africa pluck ticks and other insects off large mammals—and then slurp blood from their hosts’ sores.
—Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 2 Dec. 2019
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
Birds such as oxpeckers, for example, ride on the back of the buffalo and eat lice, fleas, and other parasites while getting a lift.
—Kylie Mohr, National Geographic, 9 Nov. 2019
The oxpecker birds of Africa pluck ticks and other insects off large mammals—and then slurp blood from their hosts’ sores.
—Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 2 Dec. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oxpecker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1837, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near oxpecker
Cite this Entry
“Oxpecker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxpecker. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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