Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the greater honeyguide which leads traditional honey-hunters to bees' nests and, after the hunters have harvested the honey, feeds on the remaining contents of the hive. There are 17 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malaysia
Malaysian Honeyguide
The Malaysian Honeyguide (Indicator archipelagicus) is a medium-sized passerine, up to 18 cm long, olive-brown honeyguide with greenish streaks, reddish iris, thick grey bill and greyish white below. The male has a yellow patch on the shoulder, while the female has none. The young resembles the female with streaked underparts. You will notice a cleavage belly.
The Malaysian Honeyguide occurs throughout lowland broadleaved forests of western Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and the island of Sumatra. It nests in tree hollows.
The call of the Malaysian Honeyguide is a cat-like "meow", followed by a rattling sound. The diet consists mainly of insects, especially wild bees and wasps.
Due to ongoing habitat loss, local and sparse population, the Malaysian Honeyguide is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The last frontier in peninsula to see this bird is in Bukit Wang Kelian Kedah and that is a pocket of forest jungle that may not last if no conservation programme is in place.
Very nice shots, Mike. Especially #2. Well done.
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