Honeyguides

12 species

Honeyguides have an Old World tropical distribution, with the greatest number of species in Africa and two in Asia. They are also known as indicator birds, or honey birds. These birds are best known for their interaction with humans. Honeyguides are named for a remarkable habit seen in one or two species: guiding humans to bee colonies. Once the hive is open and the honey is taken, the bird feeds on larvae and wax. The breeding behavior is known only in eight species. They are all brood parasites that lay one egg in a nest of another species. Honeyguide nestlings have been known to physically eject their hosts\' chicks from the nests and they have needle-sharp hooks on their beaks with which they puncture the hosts\' eggs or kill the nestlings.
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Honeyguides have an Old World tropical distribution, with the greatest number of species in Africa and two in Asia. They are also known as indicator birds, or honey birds. These birds are best known for their interaction with humans. Honeyguides are named for a remarkable habit seen in one or two species: guiding humans to bee colonies. Once the hive is open and the honey is taken, the bird feeds on larvae and wax. The breeding behavior is known only in eight species. They are all brood parasites that lay one egg in a nest of another species. Honeyguide nestlings have been known to physically eject their hosts\' chicks from the nests and they have needle-sharp hooks on their beaks with which they puncture the hosts\' eggs or kill the nestlings.
show less