Led a merry dance

“He [the honey badger] has besides, as well the [local peoples], sagacity to follow a small bird, which flies on by degrees with alluring note of ‘cherr, cherr, cherr’, and guides its followers bees’ nest” – from Andrew [Anders] Sparrman’s A Voyage Cape Good Hope, Towards Antarctic Polar Circle, Round World, 1772–1776, Volume II (1785; Perth, Scotland: R Morison Son). For those us born outside Africa, idea that badgers (Mellivora capensis; Figure 1) greater honeyguides (Indicator indicator) have thing going all started words penned Swedish naturalist Anders Sparrman (1748–1820). Africans, whom got scoop, had course understood it be case for very long time. It apparently being insufficiently fascinating should lead humans nests mutual benefit, we taken delight in badger–bird relationship recounted ever since learned texts, popular articles, illustrations, artwork an example coevolved mutualism. In late 1980s was celebrated 40-sente stamp issued nation Lesotho, recent years been subject children’s books, display at State Darwin Museum Moscow, school curriculum element produced UK science communication company. It’s even used publicity safari business. And if like me you wouldn’t told any differently (because you’ve known were kid!), might equally annoyed discover there are people out trying hornswoggle into believing something else! badger pup. D Keats/CC BY 2.0 Smithsonian ornithologist Herbert Friedmann (1900–1987) among first get wind it. his 1955 book The Honey-Guides (Washington, DC: Institution, US National Bulletin 208), he tells 1950, when went realized no recorded eyewitness accounts these two animals working together. So set off see whether could fix that, much effort gathered many, many reports having seen company honeyguides, led them. He instance nearly full guiding sequence: “The [scouts] then saw bird leading calling ratel [honey badger], they followed short distance some 200–300 yards until came nests”. although never this behavior own eyes, sheer mass information collected proof enough him, declared association real. old Friedmann! But someone’s always spoil things! Much Friedmann’s evidence circumstantial, ran argument researchers FitzPatrick Institute African Ornithology (Cape Town, South Africa) (Conserv Biol 1990; 4: 99–101). Was or following badger? Like other juicy snippets, above sequence reported rather than first-hand account. where mutualism? intriguing information, sure, but perhaps not clinch Honestly, how dare they! Now, you’d think Claire Spottiswoode, who spent field observing would her birds sticky dinner, she is record declaring unsubstantiated (https://bit.ly/3wPe6sh)! Why, experts Colleen Keith Begg seem unconvinced! Just look what write their website (http://www.honeybadger.com/faq.html): “This continues contentious issue amongst ornithologists comprehensively documented. We despite seeing break hives occasions areas also exist. believe way around.” I suppose skeptics insist paper (Biodivers Obs 2017; 8: 1–6) filmed young, orphaned raised animal sanctuary falls proving animals’ bee-bashing arrangement exists? Well, didn’t respond, obliged to? Especially everyone knows work together! Will one help here? “There enigmatic about love connect up bees”, says Johan du Toit (Utah University; Logan, UT). “But unreliable partners. If honeyguide start through bush towards beehive, chances come across snake lizard nest newborn rodents eat those, nap forget bees. Honey simply do thing. They’re unreliable, irresponsible, incorrigibly uncooperative uncaring, why so charismatic.” Thank you! charismatic! That’s reason them honey, isn’t it? Someone tell is, please! Adrian Burton