Blue-capped Ifrita
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| Ifrita kowaldi (De Vis, 1890) |
The Blue-capped Ifrita, Ifrita kowaldi also known as 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.
The Blue-capped Ifrita is placed as the only member of the genus Ifrita, which is itself placed in the family Cinclosomatidae. This monotypic genus is one of only two described bird genera with poisonous members, the other being the genus Pitohui, also from New Guinea.
This enigmatic bird, along with Hooded Pitohui, is known to sequester Batrachotoxin in its skin and feathers which causes numbness and tingling to those who handle them. The toxin found in its body is acquired from part of its diet, namely the Choresine beetle.[1]
The Blue-capped Ifrita creeps on trunks and branches in search of insects.
Widespread and common throughout its large range, the Blue-capped Ifrita is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Ifrita kowaldi. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 26 November 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
