Evidence of an Increase in a Red-Billed Oxpecker Population in the Kruger National. Park

Stutterheim, C.J.; Stutterheim, Irene M.

doi:10.1080/02541858.1980.11447724

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…To determine Oxpeckers' host preferences, the method of Stutterheim and Stutterheim (1980) was used to obtain a preference index (PI) for each host species (number of birds or number of animals). Chi-square tests were then used to compare preference index distributions between sites and between species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The observation techniques used were similar to that of Grobler (1980), Stutterheim and Stutterheim (1980) and Plantan (2009). Each time a host species was encountered, data were collected on the following: (1) identity of the host species, (2) number of hosts available, (3) number of Oxpeckers present, (4) Oxpecker species, (5) age class of each Oxpecker observed, (6) presence or absence of wounds on host, (7) location of Oxpecker on host, (8) behaviour of each Oxpecker, (9) host response (tolerance or rejection) and ( 10) GPS coordinates and time of each observation.…”

Section: Fieldworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Feeding preferences of Oxpeckers in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Ndlovu

Combrink

2015

Koedoe

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Oxpeckers reduce tick loads on ungulate hosts, but they are also known to feed on and exacerbate wounds. An understanding of the feeding behaviours and host preferences of these birds is important since they serve as agents of tick control on both domestic and wild ungulates. We conducted an observational study at two sites within the Kruger National Park in South Africa, exploring the feeding preferences of both Red-billed and Yellow-billed Oxpeckers. Oxpeckers’ host preferences, body-location preferences on different hosts, prevalence of feeding and non-feeding behaviours, and frequency of tolerance versus rejection in different hosts were determined. It was found that Yellow-billed Oxpeckers had a smaller range of hosts – typically larger-sized ungulates – and that Red-billed Oxpeckers diversify to smallersized ungulate hosts when in competition with Yellow-billed Oxpeckers. Body-location preferences were generally consistent across sites and across host species. Tick feeding and other host-feeding behaviours (around the eyes, nose, mouth and ears, and anogenital areas) were fairly common. Only six incidents of wound feeding, from a total of 855 observations, were recorded. Tolerance by an ungulate host species was not related to Oxpeckers’ host preferences, suggesting that other factors such as ungulate body size, tick species and tick stages on the host animal may play a significant role in the feeding preferences of Oxpeckers.Conservation implications: It is important to study Oxpeckers’ behavioural feeding preferences so as to better understand their ecology and present distribution, and to determine where they can be reintroduced in future. Reintroduction not only helps with the proliferation of Oxpeckers, but also benefits ungulate hosts through ectoparasite removal and the subsequent control of tick-borne diseases.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Fieldworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feeding preferences of Oxpeckers in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Ndlovu

Combrink

2015

Koedoe

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“…Variables either known or suspected to correlate with RBO occurrence were considered (Appendix S2). Some of the key requirements for successful reintroductions of RBOs would be a fairly high density of wild or domestic host species (Nunn, Ezenwa, Arnold, & Koenig, ; Plantan, Howitt, Kotzé, & Gaines, ; Stutterheim, ; Weeks, ), adequate tick densities as food (Bezuidenhout & Stutterheim, ), suitable nest sites (Stutterheim, ), suitable land uses, open savanna habitat (Sirami & Monadjem, ), protected areas (Stutterheim & Stutterheim, ), and water sources (Stutterheim, ). We compiled recent occurrence records (2007–2014) on 20 symbiotic mammal species and six tick species from various sources (see Appendix S2 for details).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Re‐establishing the pecking order: Niche models reliably predict suitable habitats for the reintroduction of red‐billed oxpeckers

Kalle

Combrink

Ramesh

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Distributions of avian mutualists are affected by changes in biotic interactions and environmental conditions driven directly/indirectly by human actions. The range contraction of red‐billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) in South Africa is partly a result of the widespread use of acaracides (i.e., mainly cattle dips), toxic to both ticks and oxpeckers. We predicted the habitat suitability of red‐billed oxpeckers in South Africa using ensemble models to assist the ongoing reintroduction efforts and to identify new reintroduction sites for population recovery. The distribution of red‐billed oxpeckers was influenced by moderate to high tree cover, woodland habitats, and starling density (a proxy for cavity‐nesting birds) with regard to nest‐site characteristics. Consumable resources (host and tick density), bioclimate, surface water body density, and proximity to protected areas were other influential predictors. Our models estimated 42,576.88–98,506.98 km2 of highly suitable habitat (0.5–1) covering the majority of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, a substantial portion of northern KwaZulu‐Natal (KZN) and the Gauteng Province. Niche models reliably predicted suitable habitat in 40%–61% of the reintroduction sites where breeding is currently successful. Ensemble, boosted regression trees and generalized additive models predicted few suitable areas in the Eastern Cape and south of KZN that are part of the historic range. A few southern areas in the Northern Cape, outside the historic range, also had suitable sites predicted. Our models are a promising decision support tool for guiding reintroduction programs at macroscales. Apart from active reintroductions, conservation programs should encourage farmers and/or landowners to use oxpecker‐compatible agrochemicals and set up adequate nest boxes to facilitate the population recovery of the red‐billed oxpecker, particularly in human‐modified landscapes. To ensure long‐term conservation success, we suggest that the effect of anthropogenic threats on habitat distributions should be investigated prior to embarking on a reintroduction program, as the habitat in the historical range may no longer be viable for current bird populations.

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“…Some of these plants are natural repellants (Malonza et al, 1991), some are natural attractants (Hassan etal.,199 lb), while others (Family Solanaceae) have been shown to kill all stages of R.appendiculatus (Dipeolu and Ndungu, 1991). Everywhere in Africa, some birds, the red and yellow bill oxpeckers although feeding on ticks can also cause damage to cattle as well (Stutterheim and Stutterheim, 1980) and thus could only be of local significance. Everywhere in Africa, some birds, the red and yellow bill oxpeckers although feeding on ticks can also cause damage to cattle as well (Stutterheim and Stutterheim, 1980) and thus could only be of local significance.…”

Section: Biological Control Of Ticksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Studies on the biology of African ticks: A review of the past and present with guides for the future

Amoo

1992

Int. J. Trop. Insect Sci.

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A comprehensive review of the major investigations on the biology of African ixodid ticks is made with a view to identifying weaknesses in the life systems which may be employed as control components in an integrated package. The possibility of breeding ticks with low oviposition capacities needs to be confirmed and further studied with respect to the economically important ticks in Africa. Studies on the membrane or artificial feeding of ixodid ticks must be conclusive and more importantly the disease transmission abilities of these membrane fed ticks is worthy of being looked into. Additionally, the hybrid status of both Genus Rhipicephalus and Genus Amblyomma ticks should be studied. Efforts must also be made to intensify research on selecting resistant host breeds to multihost ticks, R. appendiculatus and A. variegatum, among the very many cattle breeds present in Africa. Resume-line revue complete des principaux champs d'investigations dans la biologie des tiques ixodides d'Afrique a ete faite avec pour objectifs de faire ressortir les points faibles du cycle biologique des tiques sur lesquels pen vent etre bases la lutte integree contre les tiques. II est possible d'elever des tiques ayant des capacites d'oviposition faible. Les contours de cette possibilite en ce qui concerne les tiques d'Afrique ayant une importance economique doivent etre mieux cernes par des etudes ulterieures. Des etudes sur 1'alimentation artifieielle des tiques sur membrane doivent £tre poursuivies aussi s'avere t-il necessaire de chercher a etudier les capacites de transmission de "virus" par les tiques nourries sur membrane.

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Evidence of an Increase in a Red-Billed Oxpecker Population in the Kruger National. Park

Cited by 10 publications

References 0 publications

Feeding preferences of Oxpeckers in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Feeding preferences of Oxpeckers in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Re‐establishing the pecking order: Niche models reliably predict suitable habitats for the reintroduction of red‐billed oxpeckers

Studies on the biology of African ticks: A review of the past and present with guides for the future

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