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
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Why Elephants love a dust bath Elephants love a dust bath. I'm sorry, but please don't scroll past the photograph above without giving that baby Elephant… read more
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Lion cub playing Here in the Masai Mara, the Lioness is playing with one of her cubs. She's very patient and forgiving at… read more
The marvellous Green Woodhoopoe My safari guide Johnson has spotted the nest of a Green Woodhoopoe in a hole in a tree. I love… read more
An African Spoonbill I've seen Spoonbills in Somerset and in Italy but they were the Eurasian Spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia. I'm in Kenya now… read more
My new favourite bird is the… ... Green Woodhoopoe! What a bird! My guide, Johnson, is curious and patient with my need to stay waiting for… read more
The Hammerhead There's a Hamerkop flying towards me with something huge and fishy in its beak. Hamerkops look like ducks or weird… read more
Spotting a Little Bee-Eater There's a beautifully coloured bird with vibrant yellow cheeks flitting from perch to perch. It's a Little Bee-Eater, Merops pusillus.… read more
Is this Hornbill small or is that caterpillar huge? There's an African Grey Hornbill flying past our 4x4 in the Masai Mara. It's come from behind and is flying… read more