Native to Papua New Guinea, Pitohui birds belong to the Pachycephalidae family and are easily recognized by their striking plumage.
Despite their vibrant appearance, these birds are locally known as “rubbish” birds, largely due to their unpleasant smell. Eating their meat is a bitter experience and can make people sick.
Curious about their toxicity, researcher Jack Dumbacher sent Pitohui feathers to John W. Daly at the National Institutes of Health. Daly, who had previously discovered the deadly batrachotoxin in Colombia’s toxic dart frogs during the 1960s, identified the same toxin in the Pitohui birds’ feathers.
This marked the first time scientists found a bird species harboring batrachotoxin, a potent poison that can cause paralysis, internal bleeding, organ failure, and eventually death.
There are six known species of Pitohui birds, with the Hooded Pitohui being the most toxic. The batrachotoxins found in these birds are neurotoxic alkaloid steroids that interfere with the function of sodium channels in nerve and muscle membranes.
Even at low concentrations, they can cause tingling and burning sensations, while higher doses lead to paralysis, heart failure, and death. By weight, batrachotoxins are among the most toxic compounds in nature—over 250 times more deadly than strychnine.
Researchers discovered that Pitohui birds store this toxin not only in their skin and feathers but also in their bones and organs, although in much smaller amounts than the toxic frogs. Interestingly, the level of toxicity varies among individuals and across different regions.
The source of the toxin has been debated, but the general agreement is that Pitohui birds don’t produce batrachotoxin themselves. Instead, they likely acquire it through their diet, particularly by consuming Choresine beetles containing the poison.
The exact reason why Pitohui birds possess this toxin remains uncertain. Some experts believe it may serve as a defense mechanism against predators, while others suggest it could result from eating toxic prey. Ongoing research continues to explore this fascinating aspect of nature and its broader implications.
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