PECKING ORDER! An oxpecker perches on the neck of a giraffe, picking insects from its skin in a great symbiotic display. The scene was captured in Gonarezhou National Park, south-eastern Zimbabwe.
Paul Watkins said, “You will notice the birds feeding off small insects, which of course, can be irritating for the beast. It's a symbiotic relationship for both parties as the Oxpecker will remove annoying and irritating flies and mites. The oxpeckers are very diligent, visiting all nooks and crannies, including nostrils, ears and eyes!”
