Scaly-throated Honeyguide

Scaly-throated Honeyguide

Indicator variegatus

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Kruger National Park
39 Verified sightings at Kruger National Park From 2019 to 2026
487 Verified sightings across all 33 parks From 2019 to 2026
November Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Scaly-throated Honeyguide

The scaly-throated honeyguide (Indicator variegatus) is a species of bird in the family Indicatoridae. They have a mutualistic relationship with humans in which they attract beekeepers towards bees' nests and then feeding on the remains, especially larvae.

The scaly-throated honeyguide is closely related to the spotted honeyguide (Indicator maculatus), of which it shares part of its range. The two species are sympatric in South Sudan and Southwest Uganda. Scaly-throated honeyguides from Southern Somalia to Northeast Tanzania were previously regarded as a separate race (jubaensis). However, the species is currently regarded as monotypic, with no subspecies.

Mature scaly-throated honeyguides range between 18 and 19 centimetres (7.1 and 7.5 in) and typically weigh around 34 to 55 grams (0.075 to 0.121 lb), occasionally reaching up to 61 grams (0.134 lb). Males are larger than females, with recorded weights of males ranging from 50 to 56 grams (0.110 to 0.123 lb) and weights of females generally ranging from 36.6 to 55 grams (0.081 to 0.121 lb). However, male birds in Uganda have been reported to weigh as low as 31 grams (0.068 lb) and females, up to 60... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Kruger National Park

Lesser Honeyguide
LC

Lesser Honeyguide

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Indicator minor

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Greater Honeyguide
LC

Greater Honeyguide

🌙 Nocturnal Bird

Indicator indicator

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Wahlberg's Honeyguide
LC

Wahlberg's Honeyguide

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Prodotiscus regulus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Crested Barbet
LC

Crested Barbet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trachyphonus vaillantii

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely
Black-collared Barbet
LC

Black-collared Barbet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lybius torquatus

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely
Golden-tailed Woodpecker
LC

Golden-tailed Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Campethera abingoni

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Cardinal Woodpecker
LC

Cardinal Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dendropicos fuscescens

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Bearded Woodpecker

Bearded Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chloropicus namaquus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Bennett's Woodpecker
LC

Bennett's Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Campethera bennettii

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Acacia Pied Barbet
LC

Acacia Pied Barbet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tricholaema leucomelas

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
LC

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pogoniulus chrysoconus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
LC

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pogoniulus bilineatus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
2 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
3 Lake Nakuru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
4 Garden Route National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
5 Arusha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
6 Mkomazi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
7 Lake Mburo National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
8 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
<5%
9 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
10 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
11 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
12 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
13 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
<5%
14 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
15 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
16 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
17 Gonarezhou National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Insufficient data
18 Mikumi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
19 Meru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
20 Kidepo Valley National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
21 Ruaha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
22 Semuliki National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
23 Gorongosa National Park 🇲🇿 Mozambique
Insufficient data
24 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
Insufficient data
25 Aberdare National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
26 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
Insufficient data
27 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
28 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
29 Addo Elephant National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
30 Lake Manyara National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
31 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
32 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
Insufficient data
33 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Scaly-throated Honeyguide in Kruger National Park?

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Scaly-throated Honeyguide sighting in Kruger National Park, based on 39 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Scaly-throated Honeyguide in Kruger National Park?

November has the highest sighting rate for Scaly-throated Honeyguide in Kruger National Park in our monthly data.

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