BBC Talking to Strangers: honey birds

Believe it or not, also called honeyguides, these birds communicate with humans. They guide humans, and possibly other large mammals (such as the Honey Badger) to bee colonies. Once the mammal opens the hive and takes the honey, the bird feeds on the remaining wax and larvae. This clip is from a BBC series called "Trials of Life" and the episode is called "Talking to Strangers"

Category:

Education

Tags:

• honeybird
• honeyguide
• bird
• bbc
• nature
• david
• attenborough
• behavior
• animal
• history
• natural
• communication

[iamthesiver]

AWESOME bird can you find a pussy too ??

[unireality]

@iamthesiver u wish eh lol

[Noren1260]

Finally, something on youtube that had a modicum of educational value.

[radlations]

Sir Attenborough is the MAN!

[taz0508007]

pooh bear must be best friends with the honey bird 

[sacraficialangel7]

@Vraadrik that's not half dressed... it's just what they wear. you don't need to wear much where it's that hot

[MsHelen8]

млин, пернатый стукач за долю малую "сдает" бедных пчёлок, которые вкалывают без устали. Продажный ублюдок...)

[lmARocker]

@6633998 вы в этом полностью уверены?

[6633998]

Вы знаете, я тут на днях скушал трехлитровую баночку меда, и как видите, не жужжу))

[desigrrl08]

infukincredible.

i ♥ ♥ ♥ BBC

BBC forever

[Vraadrik]

I was a bit worried David was going to swallow a bee there for a while, munching on the honey and talking like he was! Kudos to that guy going in half dressed and stealing honey from mad stinging wild bees.

[cksilverado1]

If they have been leaving honey on the spear, then the bird would learn to also associate the spear with honey. Perhaps the bird sees the spear being carried and is more focused on the spear, rather than the human for its reward?

[RatRaceAce]

Nice. I read about these birds in Wilbur Smith's novels. He also says, the legend is that if you take everything for yourself and don't leave some of the stuff for the bird, the next time it will lead you to a lion! So, don't get too greedy with the honey.