A Surprising Moment on a Routine Drive
Assistant Head Ranger Cameron Schmidt was taking his guests on an ordinary game drive through Pumba Private Game Reserve and everyone was enjoying the usual sights. He thought the day’s highlight would be a cheetah perched elegantly atop a nearby cliff, but nature had something more peculiar in store.
While chatting with guests and keeping one eye on the cat in the distance, Cameron noticed an odd interaction playing out directly in front of them. A red-billed oxpecker was clinging to an impala, with a beak was full of hair.
From Groomer to Homebuilder
At first glance, it seemed like a typical symbiotic relationship. Oxpeckers are known to ride large mammals like impalas, and feed on ticks and parasites in exchange for a comfortable perch and a free meal.
In this instant though, the bird didn’t seem to be hunting parasites. Instead, it was plucking tufts of fur directly from the impala’s coat!
Whether the impala was too relaxed or baffled to react is anyone’s guess. It stood still, enduring the impromptu haircut as if this was just another routine trip to the barber.
Nesting Season Gets Creative
According to Cameron, this clever bird was almost certainly collecting material for its nest. Many bird species use soft fibres to insulate their nests, and mammal fur is especially prized for its warmth and pliability.
Red-billed oxpeckers, known for their resourcefulness, sometimes collect fur from live animals when shed hair isn’t readily available. Though it may seem a bit cheeky, it’s an efficient (if mildly parasitic) strategy during breeding season.
Not All Give and Take is Equal
Normally, oxpeckers and impalas enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship. The birds reduce parasite loads, and the impalas provide them with a free meal.
For this impala, however, there was little to no benefit, unless, as Cameron joked, the buck was in the middle of shedding for the warm season and welcomed the grooming. Either way, the interaction offered a rare look into the complex and sometimes blurred lines of animal behaviour in the wild.
The Joy of Small Sightings
With nearly a decade of guiding experience, Cameron was just as amazed as his six guests. He recounted his excitement in discovering such a minor but illuminating experience.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
“I’ve been guiding for nearly ten years, and it’s moments like these that are truly enlightening. It’s not always about the ‘big five’; sometimes, it’s these small, unprecedented interactions in nature that leave you amazed.”
Wildlife is constantly full of surprises, and even for seasoned professionals, there’s always something new to discover!
Takeoff to Nest Duty
Eventually, the oxpecker had collected what it came for. With a beak overflowing with impala fur, it lifted off and flew out of sight, presumably on its way to line a cozy nest somewhere nearby.
While the moment lasted only a few minutes, it was a powerful reminder that in the wild, even the smallest creatures are constantly adapting, surviving, and finding ways to thrive.
