The dwarf honeyguide is a species of bird in the family Indicatoridae. It is endemic to the Albertine Rift montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. Just like other honeyguides, this species is a brood parasite.
Region
Albertine Rift, East-Central Africa
Typical Environment
Found in montane and submontane forests of the Albertine Rift, favoring mature evergreen forest, bamboo thickets, and forest edges. It uses mid-story and canopy layers for foraging and perches quietly in dense foliage. The species persists in selectively logged or secondary forest where structure remains, but avoids heavily degraded habitats. It is typically localized, tracking areas with active social insects and natural hive sites.
Altitude Range
1200–2800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The dwarf honeyguide is a tiny member of the honeyguide family that specializes in eating beeswax and the larvae of bees and wasps. Like other honeyguides, it is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of other small birds. It is endemic to the Albertine Rift montane forests, where ongoing habitat loss is its main threat. Unlike the greater honeyguide, it is not known to lead humans to wild beehives.
Temperament
secretive and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief undulating dashes between perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, keeping to mid-story perches where it forages quietly. It is an obligate brood parasite and does not build its own nest, laying eggs in nests of other small passerines. Courtship includes chases and soft calls; otherwise it is inconspicuous and often overlooked.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of thin, high-pitched whistles and short trills delivered from a concealed perch. Calls are soft and easily missed beneath forest ambient noise, often given intermittently during foraging.
Plumage
Small, compact honeyguide with olive-brown upperparts and paler, whitish underparts showing fine streaking on the throat and breast. The tail shows pale or whitish outer edges, and the wings are dusky with subtle edging. Feathers appear smooth and close-fitting, giving a neat, unobtrusive look.
Diet
Feeds primarily on bee and wasp larvae, pupae, and other small insects, along with beeswax gleaned from natural hives or remnants. It also takes spiders and occasional flying insects caught on short sallies. The species shows a strong association with social insects and may exploit wax sources created by predators or natural hive collapse.
Preferred Environment
Forages within mid-story and canopy of montane forest, along edges, and in bamboo or secondary growth with sufficient cover. It inspects dead wood, hive cavities, and bark crevices, and may descend to clearings where insect activity is concentrated.
