Honeyguide

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A bird species that assists humans or animals in locating honey nests
2. An avian known for its unique trait of directing creatures to honey sources while relying on bees for food
3. A type of bird known for guiding animals or people to where wild honey is found

Etymology: The honeyguide is a small African bird that leads people to wild bee nests, and it does so on purpose. Once a honeyguide has found a hive, it calls and flies from perch to perch until the human follower reaches the spot. The bird cannot break open the comb itself, so it depends on people, who take the honey and leave some wax behind for the bird to eat. The name is a plain English compound: "honey" and "guide," the second element meaning one who leads the way, so the word simply describes what the bird does.