Toxic birds are birds that produce toxins to defend themselves from predators. No species of bird is known to actively inject venom, but some birds are known to be poisonous to touch or eat. These birds usually sequester toxins from animals and plants that they feed on, commonly from poisonous insects.
The pitohui, the ifrita, and the Rufous or Little Shrikethrush sequester batrachotoxin in their skin and feathers.[1] The African Spur-winged Goose is toxic to eat as it sequesters poison in its tissues from the blister beetles that it feeds on. Common Quail are also known to be toxic to eat around the time of certain migrations.[2]
Sinornithosaurus, a dinosaur related to birds, may have had a venomous bite.