Birds of poison There are many poisonous insects and reptiles all over the world. But have you ever heard of a bird that can be poisonous? The Hooded Pitohui (pronounced pit-o-hooey) is a songbird found in the rain forests of New Guinea, an island which lies in the South Pacific Ocean to the east of Indonesia. There are around six species of Pitohui of which the Hooded Pitohui is the most deadly. Deadly beauty The first poisonous bird to be documented, the Hooded Pitohui is a pretty bird with a brick-red belly and black head. It has strong legs and a powerful beak. The bird’s bright colours are an example of ‘aposematism’ or warning colours. A neurotoxin called Homobatrachotoxin is found in its skin and feathers. A scratch or a sharp jab from its beak can make us go numb. If a large amount of this poison goes into our body, it can lead to paralysis and probably death. Feather lice too stay away from the Pitohui as Homobatrachotoxin is the most poisonous of all naturally...