oxpeckers | watercolour & graphite

The relationship between oxpeckers and zebras is one of the classic examples of symbiosis on the African plains — a partnership where both species benefit in simple, practical ways. Oxpeckers spend their days perched on zebras’ backs, necks, and flanks, picking off ticks, dead skin, and insects that irritate or harm the zebra. For the birds, it’s an easy and reliable food source; for the zebra, it’s relief from parasites and a constant bit of grooming that helps keep its hide healthy. There’s also a safety element. Oxpeckers are sharp-eyed and quick to react. When they spot danger — a lion moving in the grass or sudden movement nearby — they often hiss, chatter, or take flight, giving the zebra an extra moment to respond. In open country where predators rely on surprise, that tiny warning can make a difference. It’s a simple, natural partnership: the zebra offers a moving vantage point and steady meals, while the oxpecker provides free pest control and an early alarm system — a quiet but effective collaboration woven into daily life on the savanna.