How to Draw an Oxpecker

Step 1: The head

Near the top, left of the middle, draw a round head, a little wider than tall.

Tip Leave room on the left for the bill and lots of room below and to the right.

Step 2: Short thick bill

Start on the front of the head. Draw a short thick bill out to a point, then back.

Tip Add a line from the tip back to the head for the mouth.

Step 3: Eye and ring

Behind the bill draw a round eye with a big black dot. Draw a ring all the way round it.

Tip Leave a white speck in the black dot.

Step 4: Plump body

Start at the back of the head. Draw a big egg body sloping down, round and up to the chin.

Tip The body is the biggest shape. Its back slopes down like a slide.

Step 5: Long tail

Start on the back end of the body. Draw a long tail out and back. Stop on the body.

Tip The tail points down and back, with a round tip.

Step 6: Folded wing

Start on the back just behind the head. Draw a long U wing along the side. Stop at the tail.

Tip Add 2 short feather lines inside the back of the wing.

Step 7: Short front leg

From the tummy draw a short thin leg down to a knee, then on down to 3 toes.

Tip The toes point the same way as the bill.

Step 8: Short back leg

Draw the other leg the same way, a hand further back. Leave a gap between the 2 feet.

Step 9: The ground

Draw a long ground line just under the feet, from one side of the paper to the other.

Tip Use a ruler if you like.

Step 10: Cream tummy, yellow ring

Go over your lines. Colour the chest and tummy cream and the eye ring yellow. Leave the eye white.

Step 11: Red bill, grey legs

Colour the thick bill red and the 2 legs grey.

Step 12: Brown head and wing

Colour the head, the wing and the tail brown, around the yellow ring. Your oxpecker is done!