honeyguide

noun hon·ey·guide \ ˈhə-nē-ˌgīd \

Definition of honeyguide

: any of a family (Indicatoridae) of small plainly colored nonpasserine birds that inhabit Africa, the Himalayas, and the East Indies and that include some which lead people or animals to the nests of bees

Recent Examples of honeyguide from the Web

Such brood parasitism has arisen independently at least three times, in the groups known as cuckoos, cowbirds and honeyguides.

— The Economist, "Convergent evolutionThicker eggshells help cuckoos hatch earlier than their nestmates," 18 Jan. 2018
But for the clarity of reciprocity, nothing can match the relationship between honeyguide and honey hunter.

— natalie angier, New York Times, "Sign Up for the Science Times Newsletter," 22 July 2016
When humans speak up, the little African birds called honeyguides listen—and can understand, a new study confirms for the first time.

— National Geographic, "First Proof That Wild Animals Really Can Communicate With Us," 21 July 2016
Honeyguides excel at locating bees’ nests, but a bird that tries to steal some of the tasty reward could easily be stung to death.

— National Geographic, "First Proof That Wild Animals Really Can Communicate With Us," 21 July 2016
He and Spottiswoode are now working together to explore how hunters elsewhere in Africa signal honeyguides.

— National Geographic, "First Proof That Wild Animals Really Can Communicate With Us," 21 July 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'honeyguide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.