Honeyguide

Honeyguide refers to birds in the family Indicatoridae, a group of small to medium passerine birds found mainly in Africa with some species in Asia. The best-known member is the greater honeyguide (Indicator indicator), which gives the group its common name in many regions. Honeyguides are typically olive-brown to greenish in plumage, with stout bills and often a short, rounded tail. They occur in a variety of open woodland and savanna habitats and are usually resident or locally migratory.

Ecology and behavior: Honeyguides have a diverse diet that includes beeswax, honey, bee larvae, and various insects. Some species specialize in exploiting apiary resources or bee nests, and several are known to explore tree cavities and abandoned nests for forage. They tend to forage in pairs or alone, and several species are capable of long-distance movement in response to food availability. Many species are cavity nesters, laying a small clutch and relying on both parents to rear the young.

Interspecies interactions: The honeyguide’s most famous behavior is its alleged mutualistic relationship with humans and other honey collectors. In parts of Africa, individuals have been observed guiding people to wild honeybee nests by calling loudly, after which the humans harvest the honey and the bird consumes leftover wax and larvae. The extent and interpretation of this behavior as mutualism are subjects of scientific discussion, and not all honeyguide species are known to practice guiding.

Conservation: Most honeyguide species are not currently considered threatened, though local populations can be affected by habitat loss and environmental changes. They are generally inconspicuous and can be difficult to study, which can complicate assessments of their status.