Communication is a two-way process. Can birds communicate with humans? This is a question posed in my previous post, “Oh No, Not the Birds!” Can we communicate with birds? Person-to-bird; bird-to-person, can an interchange take place?
The information in this post may knock some readers over with a feather.
In 1989, H.A. Isack, a scientist, published papers that the legendary stories about human-interactive birds are real. The legend states the birds would flutter in front of Africans. They would tweet and take-off flying from one tree to the next. They led their followers to beehives hidden in hollow tree trunks.
Such an outgoing and outspoken bird isn’t found in America, Asia, or Europe. Scientists have confirmed that such a bird lives in Africa, “the cradle of humankind.”
The Greater Honeyguide is the mysterious conversant bird. This bird is willing and able to share its skills and instincts with those who will listen and follow.
The relationship between the Honeyguides and people isn’t a domesticated collaboration. And it’s not a circus act. In Big Top circus shows, trained elephants, tigers, lions, and other animals perform harrowing feats. And spectators gasp and clap—oohing and aahing.
Unlike circus animals and tamed, pet parrots, the Honeyguides aren’t trained by humans. The Honeyguides are wild birds. And their relationships with people aren’t coercive. But are of mutual benefit. There is a symbiotic or cooperative partnership between the Honeyguides and humans.
Who initiates the interaction? It just depends. Either may alert the other one.
The Honeyguide listens for and deciphers certain human call outs. A person’s call may be as simple as repeatedly yelling, “Where’s the honey?”
As the name Honeyguide suggests, the birds are skilled in finding honey.
Some studies state a Honeyguide makes a “tirr-tirr-tirr-tirr” sound. This is a unique and specific call to attract humans, and honey hunters know the call.
Who can explain mother nature and such intrinsic workings of this unique bird? But a species of birds that loves honeycomb might be observant of bees and their hives.
So, flying from perch to perch, the Greater Honeyguide leads the honey hunters or callers to the sweet loot.
It’s the great honey caper, a tale of thieves ripping off unsuspecting bees. The birds lead, and the hunters follow. The birds and fellows work together. Finding the beehive is a small matter of following the honeybird or guide.
That’s pretty amazing, don’t you think?
Some studies suggest the relationship between hunters and Honeyguides is thousands or even millions of years old.
What do the Honeyguides get out of the partnership?
The sweet loot is shared. The hunters retrieve the honey. And the birds eat the discarded beeswax and larvae.
Who has ever heard of birds beckoning humans to follow them?
Some honey hunters use a distinctive call that sounds like ”brr” followed by a grunt. Honey hunters use different audible signals, including whistling.
The proof isn’t in the pudding but in the honey. The communication and interchange between the honey birds and hunters are real.
Claire Spottiswoode, a bird researcher, witnessed first-hand the magical interchange. The Honeyguide heard her honey request and led her to a honey-sweet spot.
Richard Wrangham, a Harvard University, biological anthropologist, believes the honeyguides listen to human sounds. But they especially tune in to human sounds that are designed to attract honeyguides.
In this case, we can say, “a little birdie” told them (the hunters) about the honey.