Scaly-throated Honeyguide

Indicator variegatus

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderPiciformes (Woodpeckers and Allies)
FamilyIndicatoridae (Honeyguides)
GenusIndicator (Typical Honeyguides)
SpeciesIndicator variegatus (Scaly-throated Honeyguide)

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

at Murchison Falls National Park

4 Verified sightings at Murchison Falls National Park From 2019 to 2026

487 Verified sightings across all 33 parks From 2019 to 2026

☀️ 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 Murchison Falls National Park

Indicator indicator

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Indicator minor

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Indicator pumilio

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Lybius guifsobalito

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

Tricholaema lacrymosa

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Pogoniulus chrysoconus

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Dendropicos goertae

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Campethera nubica

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Lybius bidentatus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Dendropicos fuscescens

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Pogoniulus bilineatus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Pogoniulus subsulphureus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

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

← Back to Murchison Falls National Park

Scaly-throated Honeyguide

About the Scaly-throated Honeyguide

Recent sightings of Scaly-throated Honeyguide in Murchison Falls National Park

Closest Relatives at Murchison Falls National Park

Greater Honeyguide

Lesser Honeyguide

Dwarf Honeyguide

Black-billed Barbet

Spot-flanked Barbet

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird

African Grey Woodpecker

Nubian Woodpecker

Double-Toothed Barbet

Cardinal Woodpecker

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird

Yellow-throated Tinkerbird

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found