The Rhino’s Guard – the Red-Billed Oxpecker
The Red-Billed Oxpecker’s scientific name is Buphagus erythrorynchus. Bu means Ox, phagus means eat, erythro means red and rhynchus means nose. They are insect eaters rather than Ox eaters. Here’s one in its natural habitat, surrounded by dinner.
The Swahili name of the Red-Billed Oxpecker is Askari wa kifaru which means The Rhino’s Guard.
Kiswahili is Kenya’s unifying language. English is used in government, education, business and the law. There are over sixty other languages in three main groups, Bantu, Nilotic and Cushitic. One of the Bantu languages in the one we heard most in Wamunyu where we were volunteering, which is called Kamba.
Everywhere in the world, wherever the country and whatever the language, species have the same scientific name. This one is all based upon Ancient Greek. The Ancient Greek’s reach across human history has been immense. It certainly didn’t stop when the Romans conquered them.
More adventures on safari in Kenya
What Johnson said is true. “They are small and the grass is long and the Masai Mara is big” There are two books which started my interest in the natural world. The first was A Treasury of Natural History… read more
Naked armpits I've seen Sacred Ibis before. They're beautiful and fascinating. This one has something I've never seen before, though. As it… read more
Twin interests This Lioness has clearly caught something cute, furry and with floppy ears. It's already had a good chew at it.… read more
A White-Headed Saw-Wing There's an all-black Swallow-type bird next to our route, as we drive along the dusty compressed-earth tracks of the Masai… read more
The double-jointed ankles of the African Harrier Hawk It's the tiny head which first strikes me; and then the bare face with the orange skin. It's an African… read more
Zebras at sunset and a vision of heaven My guide, Johnson, here at Governors' Camp in the Masai Mara, has been brilliant. He's responded to my every wish,… read more
The Village Weaver As we head back to camp, I can see birds bathing in the pools of water left by the ruts… read more
Go on, bat those eyelashes at me I love how playful and how brown and fluffy the young Zebras are here in the Masai Mara. They're still… read more
Lion’s mane Isn't this big male Lion's mane fabulous? Lionesses prefer male Lions which have a dark bushy main. It's a sign… read more
Cheetahs in the Masai Mara Gladys is driving us towards a pair of Cheetahs. "Oh yes! There". We're an excited group of four. A pair… read more
Black-Backed Jackals Those cunning tricksters, the Black-Backed Jackals are back. Their ears are so pointy, and so are their noses. What a… read more
Pied Kingfisher This is my first view of a Pied Kingfisher. They are massive compared with the Common Kingfishers we see in… read more