Greater Honeyguide

Indicator indicator

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Aves · Piciformes · Indicatoridae

About

The greater honeyguide is a bird in the family Indicatoridae, paleotropical near passerine birds related to the woodpeckers. Its English and scientific names refer to its habit of guiding people to bee colonies. Claims that it also guides non-human animals are disputed.

Fun Fact

Greater honeyguides lead honey badgers and humans to beehives by calling and flying ahead, then feast on the beeswax left behind — one of the rare examples of inter-species cooperative foraging.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Woodlands and savannas

Diet

Omnivore

Lifespan

10-15 years

Threats

Wildfire
Deforestation

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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