Honey locust

Honey guide

The honey guide is a type of bird found in the family Indicatoridae. These birds are known for their unique behavior of guiding humans and other animals to bee hives, hence their name. There are 17 known species of honey guides, all of which are native to Africa, with the exception of the Malaysian honey guide.

Behavior

Honey guides are best known for their namesake behavior: guiding other animals, particularly humans, to bee hives. Once the hive is opened and the honey is taken, the honey guide feeds on the remaining wax and larvae. This behavior is known as mutualism, as both the honey guide and the human or animal it leads benefit from the interaction.

Diet

In addition to beeswax and larvae, honey guides also feed on insects and fruit. The Greater honeyguide, for example, has been observed eating figs and beetles in addition to its usual diet of beeswax and larvae.

Reproduction

Honey guides are brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species. The honey guide chick hatches first and then pushes the host's eggs or chicks out of the nest.

Conservation status

Most species of honey guides are considered to be of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, the Yellow-footed honeyguide is considered Vulnerable, and the Malaysian honeyguide is considered Near Threatened.

In culture

In many African cultures, honey guides are considered good luck, and killing one is thought to bring misfortune. Some cultures also believe that honey guides can understand human language and that they can be called and sent to find honey.

See also

• Bird behavior
• Mutualism (biology)
• Brood parasitism