🧵 Not all human–wildlife stories are defined by conflict. In northern Malawi, people follow the greater honeyguide to bee nests; in return, the bird feeds on wax and larvae. My MSc research documented a cooperation rooted in trust, tradition, and mutual benefit. #ornithology #BOU2026 1/6

Swati honey-hunters and honeyguides cooperate in a consistent sequence: respondents actively signal to the birds, the honeyguides lead them to bees’ nests while maintaining reciprocal communication, the nests are harvested using smoke, and the birds feed on the remaining wax. 3/7

1/7 The greater honeyguide (Indicator indicator) leads humans to bees’ nests. People harvest the honey, and the bird eats leftover wax. While this partnership is well-studied in other parts of eastern Africa, it hasn’t been explored in southern Tanzania, where beekeeping is big business. #BOU2026

Excited for #BOU2026! I’ll be joining remotely from Tanzania 🇹🇿 Tune in tomorrow at 14:05 for my Bluesky presentation: “Mutualism between honeyguides, beekeepers, and honey-hunters in southern Tanzania.” Watch this space 👀