Birds with neurotoxim-laden feathers

An expedition into the jungle of New Guinea has resulted in the of two new species of poisonous birds by researchers from the University of Copenhagen.

- 

Genetic changes in these bird species have allowed them to carry a powerful neurotoxin.

The poisonous birds inhabit one of Earth's most pristine rainforests, a place as exotic as no other in the world.

Hearing the words poisonous and bird coupled will be an eye-opener for most. But poisonous birds actually exist. And now, more species have been discovered in New Guinea's jungles.

Researchers managed to identify two new species of poisonous birds on our most recent trip. These birds contain a neurotoxin that they can both tolerate and store in their feathers.

The two birds that the researchers discovered to be poisonous are the regent whistler (Pachycephala schlegelii), a species that belongs to a family of birds with a wide distribution and easily recognizable song well-known from across the Indo-Pacific region, and the rufous-naped bellbird (Aleadryas rufinucha).

They were really surprised to find these birds to be poisonous as no new poisonous bird species has been discovered in over two decades. Particularly, because these two bird species are so common in this part of the world.

Neurotoxin causes muscle spasms