Honey-harvesting

The age-old relationship between the Hadzabe and the honeyguide is one of the most extraordinary examples of human-wildlife mutualism in Africa. Honey is a favourite delicacy of the hunter-gathering Hadzabe. When members of the tribe want to find honey, they produce a shout and whistle a special tune to attract any nearby honeyguides.

The bird produces a distinctive chirping call specifically reserved for humans, leading the honey-hunter to a bee’s nest. The Hadza smoke out the bees, harvest the honey and leave the bird to feast on the remaining honey comb and any grubs inside the nest