Buphagus erythrorhyncus (Red-billed Oxpecker) and Buphagus africanus (Yellow-billed Oxpecker) are small, starling-like birds native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are known for their mutualistic relationship with large mammals, feeding on ticks and parasites found on these hosts. Both species have a strong, slightly curved bill and sharp claws to grip onto their hosts. Red-billed Oxpeckers have distinctive red bills and yellow eyes, while Yellow-billed Oxpeckers feature a yellow bill with a red tip and dark eyes. They play an essential role in their ecosystem by controlling tick populations and benefiting their mammalian hosts.

Buphagus erythrorhynchus (Red-billed Oxpecker) and Buphagus africanus (Yellow-billed Oxpecker) are native to Sub-Saharan Africa. The Red-billed Oxpecker is primarily found in eastern Africa, ranging from Eritrea and Somalia down to South Africa, while the Yellow-billed Oxpecker is more common in the western and central parts of Africa, including countries like Senegal, Nigeria, and extending eastwards to Kenya and Tanzania.

Both species inhabit savanna ecosystems, open grasslands, and shrublands where large herbivores, their primary hosts, are abundant. These regions typically feature warm climates with distinct wet and dry seasons, adequate rainfall during the wet season, and a variety of grasses and scattered trees or shrubs.

Oxpeckers are specialized within their ecological niche as symbiotic partners with large mammals such as buffalo, antelope, and cattle. They primarily feed on ticks, dead skin, and other parasites found on their hosts. Their presence is crucial in controlling parasite loads on these animals. They are well adapted to perch on large mammals and have strong, sharp claws for clinging to their hosts.