7 Facts About Poisonous Pitohui Bird: Discover the Deadly Charm

Zee Media Bureau
Mar 26, 2024

Variety of Species

The genus Pitohui includes several species, but not all of them are poisonous. The Hooded Pitohui (Pitohui dichrous) is the most well-known toxic species.

Source of Poison

The toxicity in Pitohuis is derived from their diet, which includes Choresine beetles, the same source of poison found in poison dart frogs.

Defense Mechanism

The bird's poison serves as a natural defense mechanism against predators, deterring them from eating or attacking the Pitohui.

Neurotoxin

The toxin found in Pitohuis is batrachotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that affects nerve function and can be fatal in high doses.

First Poisonous Bird Discovered

The Hooded Pitohui was the first documented poisonous bird, discovered by scientists in the 1980s and 1990s in Papua New Guinea.

Toxicity Warning

The bright plumage of the Hooded Pitohui acts as a warning sign to potential predators about its toxicity, a phenomenon known as aposematism.

Handling Caution

Local people in New Guinea are aware of the Pitohui's toxicity and take precautions when handling or preparing the bird for consumption, often avoiding the bird altogether.

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