REPTILIA: ARCHOSAURIA: AVES: PACHYCEPHALIDAE: Pitohui

Pitohui dicrous Author and date

Hooded pitohui

Photo at right by Dr. Robert Sprackland, at National Museum of Scotland.

Range: Much of mid-mountain New Guinea, from 600 to 1700 meters; locally common near sea level at some northern sites.

Diagnosis:

Description:

Natural History: An unusual bird that harbors the powerful neurotoxin Tetradotoxin in its feathers. Chemically, this is an identical molecule to that found in Central American poison dart frogs (genus Phyllobates). Whether the toxin is produced by the bird, something in its diet, or an associated bacterium is unknown.

Reproduction:

Taxonomy & Relationships:

Variation:

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen:

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