| “ | Kifaru: My eyesight's worse than most rhinos!
Ono: That's why rhinos partner with tickbirds. The tickbirds ride on the rhinos and warn them about dangers that the rhinos can't see! |
” |
–Ono and Kifaru, Ono the Tickbird | ||
Tickbirds, also known as oxpeckers, are birds that appear in the The Lion Guard universe. They live in the Pride Lands.
Appearance[]
The tickbirds shown in The Lion Guard are red-billed and yellow-billed oxpeckers. They have brown upper parts and pale brown underparts. They have long tail feathers and strong feet with three toes pointing forward and one pointing backward.
Information[]
In the Real World[]
Tickbirds inhabit the savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. Being rather gregarious birds, they live in flocks. They are usually tolerated by mammals because they eat the ticks and insects off of them, but they will also peck at the animal's wounds for blood. They use pecking motions to nab insects from the fur of short-coated animals. The females lay two-three eggs, which are white or cream in color, at a time.
In The Lion Guard[]
Tickbirds are known to have a rhinoceros companion. They will follow this friend anywhere, and feed off the insects from their back while guiding them to their next destination.
History[]
Never Judge a Hyena by Its Spots[]
A flock of tickbirds in flight
A herd of oryxes is shown running in the wake of a flock of tickbirds.
Can't Wait to be Queen[]
During Duties of the King, a tickbird is shown flying near Twiga.
The Kupatana Celebration[]
The Tickbirds land
Tickbirds attend the Kupatana celebration. They circle about in the air before alighting on a rhinoceros, a hippo, and an elephant.
Fuli's New Family[]
Tickbirds circle Fuli
A flock of tickbirds flies around Fuli's head during the song My Own Way.
The Search for Utamu[]
A flock of tickbirds are seen gliding across the air near Mapema Rock.
The Imaginary Okapi[]
The gliding tickbird
A tickbird glides through Imbamba Canyon to Mbali Fields during the song Life in the Pride Lands.
The Lost Gorillas[]
The tickbirds
Some tickbirds are seen gliding across the air near Theluji Mountains.
Ono's Idol[]
A flock of tickbirds briefly flies past the tallest tree in the Pride Lands.
Ono the Tickbird[]
Mwenzi the tickbird
A tickbird named Mwenzi breaks up with his rhino companion, Kifaru and the Lion Guard must reunite the pair while Ono takes his place as tickbird.
The Savannah Summit[]
When Makuu approaches Pride Rock, he causes a flock of tickbirds to scatter. Later, when Makuu announces that Simba's Savannah Summit can go on, his booming voice causes another flock of tickbirds to scatter.
The Golden Zebra[]
When the Lion Guard arrived at the Back Lands, two tickbirds are seen perching on the branches of a tree.
Pride Landers Unite![]
Mwenzi can be seen when Mbeya asks Kifaru if they should go help fight the Outlanders.
The Queen's Visit[]
Tickbirds watch as Queen Dhahabu and her herd make their way up to Pride Rock.
Fire from the Sky[]
Tickbirds help Ono, Hadithi and Anga fight Mzingo's Parliament.
Battle for the Pride Lands[]
Mwenzi and the other tickbirds helps fight in the final battle against Scar's Army. Later, he says goodbye to the Lion Guard as they go to the Tree of Life.
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