Interspecific Relationship between the Yellow-Billed Oxpeckers and Livestock in Ndawara Village, North West Cameroon

Abstract

Oxpeckers are confined to the sub‐Saharan African region and are vital for ungulates’ health and the environment given their status as the world’s only obligate mammal gleaners. In this study, we determined the interspecific relation between Oxpeckers and livestock and the effects of anthropogenic activities on their activities. The study started in October 2021 and ended in June 2023 in North-West Region of Cameroon. We used point count method to collect data on birds during the wet and dry seasons. We found that the average duration spent by Yellow-billed Oxpeckers (YBOs) significantly differed with host type. Livestock with more Oxpecker visits were cattle but were frequently treated with poisonous acaricides. These acaricides have adverse effects on Oxpeckers and potential long-term ecological consequences on the entire ecosystem. Mutualistic relationship was significantly the most observed relationship between the YBOs and livestock compared parasitic and commensal relationships. However, there was a significant seasonal change in the feeding strategy of the Oxpeckers due to the impact of acaricides and variation in environmental factors . This study found that YBO-livestock relationship is chiefly mutualistic and can become parasitic or commensal when opportunity occurs. Our findings however, provide a crucial baseline that can contribute more knowledge on the ecological role of Oxpeckers to ungulates. Conservation education and awareness via workshops and focus group discussions on the ecological role of the species can inspire local people to become involved in the conservation of Oxpeckers.