Hooded Pitohui

The hooded pitohui is among the few known toxic birds; its feathers contain homobatrachotoxin-a neurotoxin previously found only in poison dart frogs. Found in New Guinea, this bird acquires its poison through its diet (notably Choresine beetles) and may even rub toxin onto its eggs. Handling the bird can cause numbness, making its beauty a dangerous disguise.

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