News Anthropology

Humans, birds communicate to collaborate

Honeyguides, honey hunters stick together to find, break into bees’ hives

honey hunter in Mozambique

HONEY HELPER  A honey hunter in Mozambique holds a captured honeyguide on his finger. New research finds that honeyguides lead honey hunters to bees’ nests after hearing the humans make what amounts to a “join the hunt” call.

C. Spottiswoode

By Bruce Bower

When asked the right way, a savvy bird species steers African hunter-gatherers to honey.