This small bird cannot open a beehive to get at the honey. To accomplish this, it teams up with the ratel. Rates are a perfect match to the honeyguide as they, are large enough to cracking open a hive, but have no ability to find themselves. The honeyguide files over grasslands looking for a hive. When it does spot a hive, it swoops down and makes a noise to alert the ratel. The ratel uses its claws to tear open the hive. After eating it's fill, the ratel invites the honeyguide to finish the leftovers.