inspiration
The relationship between the greater honeyguide ( Indicator indicator ) and humans ( Homo sapiens ) is so remarkable, it borders on mythical. Mutualistic, it involves two-way communication between people and these wild birds, which is incredibly rare in the natural world. Where the animal is neither domesticated, trained, nor coerced and yet works willingly with humans in a collaborative hunt for the riches that can be found in a beehive. Honeyguides solicit people with a distinctive call and then fly from tree to tree in the direction of a bee’s nest, guiding their human counterpart along the path. Success means honey for humans and honeycomb (and beeswax, larvae, and pupae) for the birds. Legend has it that the condition of this exchange is that some of the comb must be left for the bird in thanks. And that if the human in question is greedy
and doesn’t leave anything in return for the honeyguide’s help, the next time they follow, it’ll lead them into danger. The humans’ honey-hunting call is distinctive too – passed down through generations. It serves as a signal to the bird that a person needs a guide. Like the birds, honey hunters learn these calls through transmission within their communities and they vary by location and culture. So, is it nature or nurture that allows the honeyguide and human to communicate? In short, it’s both. But beyond the folklore and research, there is an element of this phenomenon that defies logic. And reminds us once again that part of the magic of nature is that it occasionally defies our comprehension. Click here to read more in ‘To Follow a Honeyguide’.
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