Scaly-throated Honeyguide
Indicator variegatus
The Scaly-throated Honeyguide (Indicator variegatus) is a rare honeyguid found in 14 countries, weighing about 49 g. The scaly-throated honeyguide is a species of bird in the family Indicatoridae.
About the Scaly-throated Honeyguide
The scaly-throated honeyguide is a species of bird in the family Indicatoridae. They have a mutualistic relationship with humans in which they attract beekeepers towards bees' nests and then feeding on the remains, especially larvae.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Mature scaly-throated honeyguides range between 18 and 19 centimetres (7.1 and 7.5 in) and typically weigh around 34 to 55 grams (0.075 to 0.121 lb), occasionally reaching up to 61 grams (0.134 lb). Males are larger than females, with recorded weights of males ranging from 50 to 56 grams (0.110 to 0.123 lb) and weights of females generally ranging from 36.6 to 55 grams (0.081 to 0.121 lb). However, male birds in Uganda have been reported to weigh as low as 31 grams (0.068 lb) and females, up to 60.5 grams (0.133 lb). Voice: Its main song is a churring trill, a low croak into a loud rising call that lasts three to four seconds. When repeated, the common soft whistle call made by the scaly-throated honeyguide sounds similar to the whistles of scimitarbills. It is often sung by birds while perched under the canopy of a particular tree.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Botswana.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Scaly-throated Honeyguide?
- Mature scaly-throated honeyguides range between 18 and 19 centimetres (7.1 and 7.5 in) and typically weigh around 34 to 55 grams (0.075 to 0.121 lb), occasionally reaching up to 61 grams (0.134 lb). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Scaly-throated Honeyguide?
- The Scaly-throated Honeyguide is a small sized bird weighing about 49 g.
- Where can you see a Scaly-throated Honeyguide?
- The Scaly-throated Honeyguide occurs in 14 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Uganda.
- What birds look similar to a Scaly-throated Honeyguide?
- The Scaly-throated Honeyguide is most easily confused with the Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, the Least Honeyguide and the Willcocks's Honeyguide.
- Is the Scaly-throated Honeyguide endangered?
- The Scaly-throated Honeyguide is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Scaly-throated Honeyguide for real
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