TOXICITY is not usually associated with birds, and there are none that paralyze or kill their prey by using toxins, as many plants do. Nevertheless,
over the past 20 years, scientists have found several species of toxin-carrying birds in New Guinea. The first species in which toxins were found all belonged to the genus Pitohui. Analyses showed that the toxins were mostly concentrated in the feathers of the birds’ bellies, breasts and legs. Since then, several more Pitohui-related bird species have been found to contain toxins. The toxins in the birds’ feathers are called batrachotoxins, and according to research, the birds do not produce the toxins themselves. Rather, they are a byproduct of the birds’ diet. The toxins’ purpose is not yet clear, but one guess is that they combat parasites and protect the birds against skin and feather infections. They may also help protect the birds from predators.