Moult Cycle of the Redbilled Oxpecker in the Kruger National Park

The timing of breeding and wing‐moult of four African Sturnidae

“…In this species adults, juveniles and nonbreeding subadults have a complete post-breeding moult (Craig & Manson 1979). In the Red-billed Oxpecker (Stutterheim 1980) and the Sociable Weaver (Maclean 1973) where the moult lasts for more than 300 days, only one primary is growing at a time. Although regression analysis has often been used to estimate rate of moult from the moult score, this procedure has been criticized by several authors (Dow 1973, See1 1976 and was not applied here.…”

“…Table 6 suggests that moult in the Cape Glossy Starling is more rapid than in the other species which moult while breeding. In the Red-billed Oxpecker the moult continues throughout breeding (Stutterheim 1980). Brooke (1967a, b) found a complete pre-nuptial moult in the Long-tailed Starling and in Burchell's Glossy Starling.…”

“…Brooke (1967a) examined museum skins of the Long-tailed Starling Lamprotornis mevesii, and Burchell's Glossy Starling Lamprotornis australis (Brooke 1967b). Traylor (1 971) made a detailed study of the moult of the Plum-coloured Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster using museum skins, and Stutterheim (1980) examined the moult of the Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus, an aberrant member of the starling family, in the course of a field study. Traylor (1 971) made a detailed study of the moult of the Plum-coloured Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster using museum skins, and Stutterheim (1980) examined the moult of the Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus, an aberrant member of the starling family, in the course of a field study.…”

Breeding Biology of the Redbilled Oxpecker in the Kruger National Park

“…The sexes are identical (Stutterheim 1977). At two nests the birds were mist netted at the nesting hole, colour ringed and spot-marked with a quick-drying aeroplane dope (Stutterheim 1974).…”

“…I studied the movements of the Redbilled Oxpecker in the Kruger National Park over a 19-month period and found no local movements; the maximum distance observed from the trapping station was 8,0 km (Stutterheim 1981 Cooperative breeding in oxpeckers could therefore be explained only by means of a strong competition for food because of habitat saturation and/ or a shortage of suitable nesting holes in an area with a large enough population of their mammalian symbionts. If the helpers in the case of the Redbilled Oxpecker are young that remain with the parental group during the following breeding season it can be viewed as a strategy to maximize the fitness of the breeding group although the helpers also benefit themselves.…”