Hi James,

 

I think that this is a very nice, interesting, observation.  I have never heard of red-wing starling doing this...or of any bird deticking klipspringers.  I think that this would be a great 'natural history' note for The Journal of East African Natural History...or for Scopus.  If you are interested in writing up such a note, please let me know and I can put you and touch with the Editor, JEANH....and I can also put you into contact with a 'klipspringer authority' so that you find out just how unique your observation is, whether deticking by birds is known for klipspringers, etc.

 

I hope that all is well on 'your side of the river'.  Me, I am on Bioko Island (Fernando Poo). for another 3 weeks....back to Soita Nyiro Conservancy at the very end of this month.

 

All best wishes,

 

Tom

 

In a message dated 2/2/2009 9:17:07 A.M. E. Africa Standard Time, jc@james-christian.com writes:

Dear All,
Something I forgot to report from the walking safari along the Ewaso was that near the location that I saw the Brown Babblers I saw a Klipspringer with a red-wing starling on its back. The klipspringer dipped its head and allowed the starling to go in to its ears and detick it (there was no shaking the way some animals do for oxpeckers).  The bird then jumped around and proceeded to clean the whole body including the feet. I have never observed this before with red-wings but maybe its common. Other observations?
Cheers, James



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