Yellow-rumped Honeyguide Indicator xanthonotus

Yellow-rumped Honeyguide Indicator xanthonotus

Bhutan
April 2008

The Yellow-rumped Honeyguide is distributed on the Himalayan slopes of northern India and adjacent countries. It is uncommon and classified as Near Threatened by Birdlife International given its dependence on Honey Bees, the extraction of honey by humans and habitat loss..

It is found at rock faces at between 1,500 and 2,300 metres where there are nests of the Giant Rock Bee Apis dorsata. It feeds on the beeswax as well as some small insects but not, apparently, the bees themselves.

The male defends his territory which consists of a number of bees nests and will mate with several females who visit him in his territory.

It is greenish-grey with a bright yellow forehead, crown, face and rump and with dark streaks on the underparts. The female is duller.

There is a recording on xeno-canto and more information is available through Avibase .

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