Some birds utilize toxins primarily as a defense against predators, with some acquiring poisons through their diet. Here is the list of seven such creatures.
Hooded Pitohui: Native to New Guinea, this bird’s skin and feathers contain batrachotoxins that cause numbness upon contact.
Red Warbler: This Mexican bird’s bright plumage may serve as a warning of its toxic feathers, though specific toxins are not well-documented.
Spur-winged Goose: Native to sub-Saharan Africa, it accumulates toxins from blister beetles in its tissues, making its flesh poisonous.
Hoopoe: Known for its distinctive crown of feathers, it produces toxic and foul-smelling secretions through bacteria in its glands that deter predators.
European Quail: Consumption of certain quail during migration has been linked to coturnism, a type of food poisoning in humans.
Blue-capped Ifrit: Also found in New Guinea, it harbors a poisonous substance called batrachotoxins in its feathers, which it uses as a defense mechanism.
Little Shrikethrush: This songbird from Australia and New Guinea possesses batrachotoxins in its skin and feathers.