What ecological interaction describes the greater honeyguide's behavior with humans?

What ecological interaction describes the greater honeyguide's behavior with humans?

• A. Predation
• B. Parasitism
• C. Competition
• D. Mutualism

Answer: (D)

Mutualism occurs when two species interact in a way that benefits both. The greater honeyguide leads humans to wild beehives, and in return the bird gains access to honey and bee larvae left after the hive is raided. Humans benefit by getting honey more easily. Because both participants gain, this is mutualism. It's not predation (no one is killed for food), not parasitism (the bird isn’t harming the humans for its own benefit), and not competition (they aren’t fighting over the same resource in a way that harms either). This interaction is often seen as facultative mutualism, since both sides benefit but could potentially obtain honey without the other.