Scaly-throated Honeyguide

The Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Indicator variegatus, is a bird with a remarkable penchant for mutualism, engaging in a symbiotic dance with humans. This species, adorned with scales on its throat, is a modestly sized bird, measuring between 18 to 19 centimeters in length and tipping the scales at 34 to 55 grams, with some individuals reaching up to 61 grams.

Identification Tips

To identify this bird, one should look for its distinctive scaly throat pattern. The bird's overall plumage is less conspicuous, making it a challenge to spot amidst dense woodland foliage.

Habitat

The Scaly-throated Honeyguide favors the dense embrace of woodlands, thickets, and forests. It is within these lush environments that it thrives, often revealing its presence not by sight, but by the characteristic high-pitched, trill-like ascending call it emits.

Distribution

This species has cast its net wide across the African continent, finding residence in a variety of countries including Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Behaviour

The Scaly-throated Honeyguide has a fascinating relationship with humans, particularly beekeepers. It engages in a mutualistic interaction, guiding humans to the hidden treasures of bees' nests. Once the humans have harvested the honey, the honeyguide feasts on the remains, particularly favoring the larvae.

Song & Calls

The bird's call is a distinctive, high-pitched trill that ascends in tone, serving as an auditory beacon within its preferred habitats.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Scaly-throated Honeyguide is closely linked to its behavior, as it often consumes the remnants of bees' nests, with a particular taste for the larvae, after humans have harvested the honey.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Scaly-throated Honeyguide as Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats to its survival.