honey guide

American  

Or honeyguide

noun

1. any of several small, usually dull-colored birds of the family Indicatoridae, of Africa and southern Asia, certain species of which are noted for their habit of leading people or animals to nests of honeybees in order to feed on the honey, larvae, and wax of the nests after they have been broken open.

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honey guide British  

noun

1. any small bird of the family Indicatoridae, inhabiting tropical forests of Africa and Asia and feeding on beeswax, honey, and insects: order Piciformes (woodpeckers, etc)

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Etymology

Origin of honey guide

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

Read the Ethical Consumer’s honey guide to find the best sources.

From The Guardian

He had heard of this, that the Jur-chol could follow the call of the bird called the honey guide!

From Literature

Then she drew honey guides down her blue silk petals, made her pollen, and filled her quaint honey-bag with honey, just as if she expected a bee or a butterfly at any moment.

From Project Gutenberg

It is as follows:—In Africa there is a bird—a species of cuckoo—known as the Indicator bird, or honey guide.

From Project Gutenberg

Those curious birds, the “honey guides,” were very attentive to them, and, by their means, the Makololo obtained an abundance of honey.

From Project Gutenberg