Scientists reported in Current Biology that the oxpeckers make up for rhinos’ poor eyesight by alerting them to danger. Scientists found that when oxpeckers detect humans approaching, they make a sharp warning call or hiss, and the rhinos know to become more vigilant. This helps the critically endangered species avoid poachers, who hunt the animals for their horn which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
But Ali noticed something else when he looked at the oxpecker and rhino pair that day. “I watched as this tiny bird sharpened his beak on the horn of the rhino and it was something I’d never seen before,” Ali said in a Zali Safari blog post. “I picked up my camera and waited for the right moment and took the shot as the bird lay on the horn of the rhino.”
The bird appeared to be leaning in to snuggle the rhino, both animals completely relaxed and happy in each other’s presence. By chance, Ali had captured an image perfectly symbolizing the symbiotic relationship that the two unlikely friends share.