What are their roles and what do they do on mammals?

It is believed that there is a mutually beneficial relationship between the mammal and the oxpecker, removing parasites in exchange for a vigilance system, and flying up and alerting the animal of the presence of predators.

But with recent studies it was found that these birds do not necessarily have a positive impact on removing ecto-parasites, they also aggrevate wounds to inhibit healing of the wound.  It is also said that they more often give their alarm calls in the presence of humans and not so often in that of other terrestrial predators.

So what is it now are the oxpecker good or bad?

Well who knows, we will probably never understand all animals to the full and know their true meaning in life.

The first impala lamb was seen in the Eastern sector this morning.

Armand Steyn