Males tend to be territorial and stay near honeycombs while females and juveniles forage widely.

They are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of tree-hole breeders, possibly barbets.

Ripley described specimens from the Naga Hills as subspecies fulvus (not always recognized), said to be smaller and darker, with the streaking on the abdomen reduced and the yellow on the forehead restricted to the anterior.

At deserted honeycombs, the bird clings tight and presses its tail on the surface of the comb.

A female was observed flicking its tail and pressing it down with wings drooped before being mounted by a male.

Young birds of honeyguide species have bill-hooks with which they destroy the eggs and chicks of the host.

[9] Unlike other honeyguides, this species has not been observed to lead humans and bears to bee hives.