Tickbirds

Tickbirds
Scientific name	Buphagus erythrorhynchus Buphagus africanus
Lifespan	15 years (captivity)
Diet	Carnivorous
Weight	50 g
Length	20 cm
Conservation	Least Concern

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 2-3 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 herd of oryxes is shown running in the wake of a flock of tickbirds.	A flock of tickbirds in flight
Can't Wait to be Queen During Duties of the King, a tickbird is shown flying near Twiga.	File:Cant-wait-to-be-queen-hd (55).png A tickbird flying
The Kupatana Celebration Tickbirds attend the Kupatana celebration. They circle about in the air before alighting on a rhinoceros, a hippo, and an elephant.	The Tickbirds land
Fuli's New Family A flock of tickbirds flies around Fuli's head during the song My Own Way.	Tickbirds circle Fuli
The Imaginary Okapi A tickbird glides through Imbamba Canyon to Mbali Fields during the song Life in the Pride Lands.	The gliding tickbird
The Lost Gorillas Some tickbirds are seen gliding across the air near Theluji Mountains.	The tickbirds
Ono's Idol A flock of tickbirds briefly flies past the tallest tree in the Pride Lands.
Ono 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.	Mwenzi the 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.

Notable Tickbirds

• Mwenzi