What is notable about the relationship between greater honeyguides and humans?

What is notable about the relationship between greater honeyguides and humans?

• A. They avoid humans entirely
• B. They feed on human-provided food at camps
• C. They compete for nests
• D. Honeyguides lead humans to wild honeybee nests, where both benefit from the honey

Answer: (D)

Mutual benefit drives this interaction. The greater honeyguide uses a distinctive calling behavior to attract humans and lead them to wild honeybee nests. Humans then break into the nest to harvest honey, and the bird benefits by feeding on leftover honey, wax, or bee brood. This cross-species cooperation has evolved because each party gains from the partnership, making it a notable example of interspecific cooperation and coevolution. The other ideas don’t fit because the bird does not avoid humans, does not rely on food provided by people at camps, and does not compete for nests.

Mutual benefit drives this interaction. The greater honeyguide uses a distinctive calling behavior to attract humans and lead them to wild honeybee nests. Humans then break into the nest to harvest honey, and the bird benefits by feeding on leftover honey, wax, or bee brood. This cross-species cooperation has evolved because each party gains from the partnership, making it a notable example of interspecific cooperation and coevolution. The other ideas don’t fit because the bird does not avoid humans, does not rely on food provided by people at camps, and does not compete for nests.