- Pitohui dichrous
Identification
Photo taken: Taja, Papua
Information on the Hooded Pitohui
The Hooded Pitohui is one of a small number of birds known to be poisonous. In fact, The Guiness Book of World Records says that the Hooded Pitohui is the "Most Poisonous Bird". The bird, native to Papua New Guinea, "was discovered in 1990, and has puzzled scientists ever since. Its feathers and skin contain the powerful poison homobatrachotoxin, the same one secreted by the dart frogs of South America. Like many other poisonous animals, this bird also emits a foul smell and advertises its toxicity with bright colors. The venom affects the nerves of the victim, but it is not known how the species acquired it."
Originally posted by gthang
