However, despite the kind gesture from his bird-friend, the giraffe appears to be anything but grateful as it pulls a series of grumpy faces during the ‘check-up’.
Thorough clean: The tiny bird pecks its way around the giraffe’s lower jaw, looking for ‘leftovers’
In sub-Saharan Africa, the red-billed oxpecker is a typical sight on the plains, where it frequently spends the day perched on large wild beasts.
They “hunt” in the backs of antelope, zebra, and giraffes, as well as, apparently, their gums, for ticks and blood, two of their favorite diets.
The amazing images were taken by Yulia Sundukova, a 36-year-old photographer from Moscow, Russia, lat month.
‘It was so funny to witness – everything about it was like a trip to the dentist,’ Ms Sundukova said.
You done yet? The giraffe pulls a grumpy face as it grows impatient with it’s ‘dental appointment’
Sigh: In a slightly ungrateful move, the giraffe appears to have shut it’s mouth while the bird is still inside
‘They help each other out – the birds get nice food like ticks and larva while the giraffes get nice healthy teeth.
‘The birds can even warn them about danger.’
It’s common: Native to sub-Saharan Africa, red-billed oxpeckers frequently perch on huge wild beasts to feed on blood and ticks.
The giraffe remained there acting quite impatient and grumpy as the bird swooped up and began taking food from its teeth. However, the bird persisted.
The giraffe’s posture was the funniest part of it; it made me think of how people act at the dentist because they simply want the appointment to be over.
It’s a remarkable interaction; the birds pluck food out of the giraffes’ and other large animals’ teeth and follow them around constantly.
source: dailymail.co.uk
