The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Lesser Honeyguide
Afrikaans name: Kleinheuningwyser
Lesser Honeyguide
Photo © Steven Herbert
Indicator minor
The Lesser Honeyguide may be found in most areas of South Africa apart from the very driest. Beyond our borders it occurs over much of sub-Saharan Africa.
True to their name the Lesser Honeyguide does feed on bees. It will eat all stages of the bees life cycle as well as the wax. It also eats wasps, various other insects and spiders.
These birds are brood parasites. When its time to breed they lay their egg in an unsuspecting hosts nest. Birds such as barbets, kingfishers, bee-eaters, wood-hoopoes and many more raise the young of the Lesser Honeyguide.
They are found in a number of habitats including riverine forest, woodland, savanna and gardens.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 442 | Melignothes minor minor |
| 2nd | 442 | Indicator minor |
| 3rd | 442 | Indicator minor |
| 4th | 442 | Indicator minor |
| 5th | 476 | Indicator minor |
| 6th | 476 | Indicator minor |
| 7th | 46 | Indicator minor |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 442 | Lesser Honey-guide |
| 2nd | 442 | Lesser Honey-guide |
| 3rd | 442 | Lesser Honeyguide |
| 4th | 442 | Lesser Honeyguide |
| 5th | 476 | Lesser Honeyguide |
| 6th | 476 | Lesser Honeyguide |
| 7th | 46 | Lesser Honeyguide |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 442 | Klein-heuningvoel |
| 2nd | 442 | Klein Heuningvoel |
| 3rd | 442 | Klein Heuningvoel |
| 4th | 442 | Klein Heuningvoel |
| 5th | 476 | Kleinheuningwyser |
| 6th | 476 | Kleinheuningwyser |
| 7th | 46 | Kleinheuningwyser |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 128Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 59
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 53
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 49
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 181
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 75
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 276
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 413
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 262
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 410
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 237
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 301
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 316
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 272
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 272
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 32
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 188
LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 46
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 134
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 48
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 60
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 80
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 158
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 176
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 146
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 93
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 93
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 189
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