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Hi Guys

I have just come back from the KNP last week.
I saw Yellow billed oxpecker just outside Lower sabi.
I was always under the impresion that they were only up north.
Has anyone seen them this low?

Karl

Hi All,

I was in Kruger in March this Year, And found 3 Yellowbilled Oxpeckers amongst many Red-billed on a herd of Buffalo crossing the Biyamiti Weir.....Which Is a lot more further South then Lower Sabie....I believe theres a small, and increasing population Down South.

Justin.

We have just had a great trip to Kruger and while staying in Bateleur Bushveld Camp. Walking around the fence of camp we came across a Buffalo with a single Yellow-billed Oxpecker on it. It was so exciting to see as we had only previously seen it in Botswana. I have co-ordinates if anyone is interested but as I say it was close to fence of camp.

I took this pic south of Oliphants in October and I've only just noticed the yelow billed oxpecker.....

During the BBW at Punda (31/01/2009) we went on a nightdrive. At about 21h00 we saw a giraffe with 3 yellow-billed oxpeckers on it. The birds were still grooming its host.

Don't they roost at night?

Hello Everyone,
Amazing. Through my travels I always enjoyed watching oxpeckers and now I find that there are two kinds. I'll have to look back on my photos and see if any are yellow-billed. In the future, I'll make a point of searching for them. Thanks for the continuing education.

Hi Everyone,
Just looked back on previous photos and the first oxpeckers I'd ever seen happened to be of the yellow-billed variety.



This was in April of 2007 in Kruger on the S142 (Shongololo Loop) near Mopani. The only reason that I remember is that it was the first day ever in Africa and we were heading back to Mopani before the gates closed. And there, right on the road, was a roadblock of six giraffes. Our first sighting of giraffes (what a thrill). As you know, the first time you'll never forget. Anyway, here's one of the hundred or so photos that I took in two minutes. I tried croping but it was too blurred so you'll have to take my word that they are yellow-billed.

Hi forumites

Is it just me or is there a definite increase in the numbers of yellowbilled oxpeckers in the northern areas of the park? I have never seen one and after the past weekend had quite a number of sightings of these rare birds. Unfortunately no pics - they never want to sit still for long enough!

Regards
Katmal

Yes, it definitely seems that way. On my recent visits to the north we have seen more yellow than red-billed. Especially around Babalala and Bateleur.
It also seems that they are spreading further south than in the past when one looks at recent reports.

More Oxpecker humour...


Nice aspect


Barcud

Seen at Punda Maria in June 2006.

Some of our forumites have got some really nice pics, I'll have to try harder next time
Taken just outside Punda Maria in January 2011.


Clicking on thumbnail will open larger image

Will try find mine and post. I got them on a few days around Punda Maria in Dec 2010, on both buffalo and giraffe

Hi Everyone, I have been visiting the Kruger since 1993 and have seen thousands of Red-billed Oxpeckers but don't remember seeing a Yellow-billed Oxpecker. I am really fascinated by Oxpeckers as they always seem to be busy combing the fur of other animals for tit-bits. Well this must have been the year of the Yellow-billed variety. 0n 1st Dec. 2010 we were driving along the dirt road from the low bridge towards the camp and saw an Impala laying by road 'chewing it's cud'. The Impala was accompanied by Red-billed Oxpeckers so I stopped to take a photograph.

After a few minutes the Oxpeckers flew away and then suddenly a Yellow-billed Oxpecker arrived.

I couldn't believe my eyes and started clicking away at the same time trying not to frighten the bird away and then 3 more birds arrived and appeared to be having a conference.

The Yellow-billed Oxpeckers didn't seem to be in any particular area. From Olifants we travelled up to Punda Maria and then back down to Crocodile Bridge and Berg-en-Dal and saw them many times. It is strange that I don't remember seeing them before and they have been on my wanted list for years and this year they were all around. Bondm U.K.

This buffalo bull had 4 yellow billed oxpeckers on it. Taken on the S90 on 14 Sept. This was a first for me.