Blue-capped Ifrita

Taxobox
name = Blue-capped Ifrita
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
status_ref = [ IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=51039|title=Ifrita kowaldi|downloaded=26 November 2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Cinclosomatidae
genus = "Ifrita"
genus_authority = Rothschild, 1898
species = "I. kowaldi"
binomial = "Ifrita kowaldi"
binomial_authority = (De Vis, 1890) The Blue-capped Ifrita ("Ifrita kowaldi"), also known as the Ifrit, is a small insectivorous bird endemic to the rainforests of New Guinea. It measures up to 16.5cm long and has yellowish brown plumage with a blue and black crown. The male has a white streak behind its eye, while the female's is a dull yellow. It creeps on trunks and branches in search of insects.

The Blue-capped Ifrita is placed as the only member of the genus "Ifrita", which is itself placed in the family Cinclosomatidae. This enigmatic bird is one of only two bird genera known to have poisonous members, the other being the genus "Pitohui", also from New Guinea.

The Blue-capped Ifrita, along with the Hooded Pitohui, sequesters batrachotoxin in its skin and feathers, which causes numbness and tingling to those who handle the bird. The toxin is acquired from part of its diet, namely the "Choresine" beetles. [http://www.calacademy.org/science_now/academy_research/powerful_poison.html]

Widespread and common throughout its large range, the Blue-capped Ifrita is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

References

Bibliography

* Del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2007). "Handbook of the Birds of the World". Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 9788496553422

See also

*Batrachotoxin

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=5621&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* [http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=51039 IUCN Red List]
* [http://natzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/2001/2/intoxnewguineabirds.cfm "The Intoxicating Birds of New Guinea" by John Tidwell]