The scaly-throated honeyguide (Indicator variegatus) is a species of bird in the family Indicatoridae. They have a mutualistic relationship with humans in which they attract beekeepers towards bees' nests and then feeding on the remains, especially larvae.

The scaly-throated honeyguide is closely related to the spotted honeyguide (Indicator maculatus), of which it shares part of its range. The two species are sympatric in South Sudan and Southwest Uganda.

Scaly-throated honeyguides from Southern Somalia to Northeast Tanzania were previously regarded as a separate race (jubaensis). However, the species is currently regarded as monotypic, with no subspecies.

Mature scaly-throated honeyguides range between 18 and 19 centimetres (7.1 and 7.5 in) and typically weigh around 34 to 55 grams (0.075 to 0.121 lb), occasionally reaching up to 61 grams (0.134 lb). Males are larger than females, with recorded weights of males ranging from 50 to 56 grams (0.110 to 0.123 lb) and weights of females generally ranging from 36.6 to 55 grams (0.081 to 0.121 lb). However, male birds in Uganda have been reported to weigh as low as 31 grams (0.068 lb) and females, up to 60.5 grams (0.133 lb).

The scaly-throated honeyguide appears olive with a white or buffy yellow tinge that is more clearly seen on its middle and lower breast. Its throat and breast also varies between a scaly to streaky olive-gray and white. These markings on its breast differentiate the species from other honeyguide except for the spotted honeyguide, which it is distinguished from by less green, browner upperparts, paler and grayer underparts, and less spotting. Stripes are present on its face and crown, sometimes reaching its nape. It exhibits an olive-brown upper back, which becomes more greenish towards the mid-back. Its rump is also yellow-green, while its tail displays a black-tipped white outer pattern with short outermost feathers. Its legs and feet are typically a greenish-gray or yellowish-olive. Eye colors range from hazel to gray brown or deep brown.

Immature has a greener throat and breast, which is also marked with broader and blacker spots. Its cheeks and the top of its head are darker. Its head is also more finely streaked and its tail is nearly all white. Males have a black gape, while females have a pink-gape with some dusky gray that becomes more apparent in older females.

It is found in Angola, Burundi, DRC, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Scaly-throated honeyguides are found in dense woodland, thickets, forest, overgrown plantations, and bamboo, usually only identifiable by their high-pitched, trill-like ascending call. Regarding size, they are 18–19 cm in length, weighing 34–55 g and rarely up to 61 g. [1] It is typically found in below 2,200 metres (7,200 ft), but has been observed at elevations up to 3,350 metres (10,990 ft) on Mt. Elgon.