Meaning & use
tickbird
Last updated
A bird, especially the oxpecker, that feeds on ticks and other parasites found on the skin of large mammals.
See it in a sentence
A tickbird perched on the rhinoceros's back, picking off parasites.
Herds of buffalo are often accompanied by tickbirds looking for an easy meal.
A note on using this word
The relationship between tickbirds and large grazing mammals is a classic example of mutualism, though some biologists argue the birds may also feed on open wounds.
Words with a similar meaning
oxpecker
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tickbird”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.