The hooded pitohui was the first poisonous bird to be documented. This songbird lives in New Guinea, an island in the southern Pacific Ocean. The bird has a bright colored belly that serves as a warning sign for predators. Its strong legs and beak also keep the bird safe from enemies. A neurotoxin is on the skin and feathers of the hooded pitohui. Even the smallest scratch or jab from the bird can make a human numb. Any toxin that makes its way to the bloodstream could cause paralysis or death.
