犀牛鸟

犀牛鳥
xīniúniǎo
noun

Measure Word

Meanings

  1. 1 oxpecker (bird of the genus Buphagus)
  2. 2 rhinoceros bird

Examples

Xīniúniǎo cháng zhàn zài xīniú bèishàng zhuó shí jìshēngchóng.
Oxpeckers often stand on the backs of rhinos and peck off parasites.
Xīniúniǎo wèi xīniú hé shuǐniú qīnglǐ pífū shàng de jìshēngchóng.
Oxpeckers clean parasites off the skin of rhinos and buffaloes.

Tips

memory
Literally 'rhinoceros bird' — a classic textbook example of symbiosis. The oxpecker rides on large African mammals (rhinos, buffalo, zebras), eating ticks and insects. Modern research shows the relationship is closer to mild parasitism, since the birds also peck at wounds for blood.

Stroke Order

niú
niǎo