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A giraffe plays host to some red billed oxpeckers.
AFRICA HILARIOUS images of two oxpeckers hanging upside down from a giraffe’s forehead like extra eyebrows will have you in splits.
The giraffe can be seen patiently holding his ground while the little birds hover all around him in these snaps.
The oxpeckers are also known as tickbirds, and they eat ticks and parasites off the giraffe and are dependent on their host for much of their food.
In return, the giraffe is relieved of blood-sucking, disease-carrying parasites. It’s a win-win relationship.
These images were captured by a British wildlife photographer, Nathalie Mountain (53), at the Okavango Delta, a vast inland river delta in northern Botswana, Africa.
“We were out on safari one afternoon, and we came across this large giraffe standing in the shade of a tree,” she said.
“It had around 15 red-billed oxpeckers crawling on it that were eating the ticks or parasites that were on the giraffe.
“It was great to watch these busy little birds clamber all over the giraffe, and they were remarkably tolerant of them even when they were around his face.
“I love to capture unique and interesting moments where two species interact, and I love photographing giraffes, which are one of the most extraordinary-looking species.
“This big male animal looked to be in his prime and was very relaxed about our presence and happy to stand in the shade of a tree for around ten minutes whilst we took photographs of him.
“I was really thrilled to capture this particularly funny moment when two of the oxpeckers hung upside down in perfect symmetry, creating two bushy eyebrows.”
ENDs
2024-03-04
Mediadrumimages/NathalieMountain/Media Drum/East News
Media Drum
Mediadrumimages/NathalieMountain
h_MDRUM_Oxpeckers_Eyebrows-1
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35cm x 22cm by 300dpi
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