Lesser Honeyguide
NameLesser Honeyguide
Common NameLesser Honeyguide
Scientific NameIndicator minor
FamilyIndicatoridae
Wingspan (cm)22
Length (cm)15
Weight (g)25
Plumage DetailsThe head and underparts are generally greyish, sometimes paler on the belly. The back and wings are olive-green to olive-brown, often with a distinct yellowish wash, especially on the flight feathers. It has a dark eye and a stout, dark bill.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalizations include a distinctive, often repeated "wit-wit-wit" or "churr-churr" call, and sometimes a trilling sound.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting a variety of wooded habitats from dense forests to savannas and even suburban gardens.
Identifying Featuressmall size, drab greyish-olive plumage, stout dark bill, dark eye, distinctive calls, brood parasitic
Description
This small, rather drab bird is known for its unique diet, which includes beeswax, and its brood parasitic breeding strategy. It typically has greyish underparts and an olive-yellow back and wings. It is often found in wooded habitats across sub-Saharan Africa.
