A bird consumed in certain regions of this country can cause serious symptoms, including numbness, paralysis and even death in extreme cases. Local inhabitants have developed specific techniques for preparing this meat, reducing the risks associated with its consumption.
A deadly toxin
The bird in question is the Pitohui dichrousa native species of Papua New Guinea, a territory that was under European rule during part of its colonial history. The toxin present in this bird is called Batracotoxin, a steroid alkaloid considered one of the most powerful natural poisons in the world.
According to, this substance is capable of blocking sodium channels in nerve, muscle and heart cells, resulting in continuous and uncontrollable contractions. These effects, when untreated, can lead to nervous system bankruptcy and cause cardiac arrest. Toxicity is so high that it goes beyond the power of cyanide, being deadly even in minimal quantities.
Local populations that inhabit the region where this bird is common have learned, throughout generations, to deal with the dangers of their meat. The preparation process involves specific techniques, such as careful removal of skin and feathers, as well as prolonged cooking. Still, its consumption is avoided by many, which nickname it as a “lixo bird” due to the risk it represents.
Alert of experts on toxins
Several experts warn of the high risk associated with meat from the Pitohui dichrous Due to the presence of batracotoxin, an extremely potent neurotoxin.
Ornithologist Jack Dumbacher, who discovered the bird’s toxicity, points out that contact with the animal can cause numbness and burning, highlighting the danger of toxin exposure.
In turn, researcher Knud Jønsson points out that Batracotoxin blocks essential nerve channels and can cause serious health problems if meat is consumed without proper care. These experts reinforce that consumption of this bird implies significant health risks and should be avoided or subject to strict preparations.
The origin of the habitat
This poisonous species is endemic of Papua New Guinea, a country located in the South Pacific, with strong European influences in its colonial past. According to National Geographic, the bird belongs to the Corvid family and is among a restricted group of birds known to science that have poison.
Investigations indicate that batracotoxin is acquired through food, namely scarabicos of the genre Choresinewhich contain this substance in their bodies.
The discovery of the toxicity of these birds, according to the source mentioned earlier, dates back to the late 1980s, when ornithologist Jack Dumbacher, during an expedition to papa-new Guinea tropical forests, came across symptoms after being scratched by a copy.
At the time, the local guides explained that the inhabitants avoided the consumption of meat without a process of strict preparation, a knowledge transmitted from generation to generation.
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Studies continue to unravel mysteries
Despite decades of investigation, many mysteries still remain on how these birds deal with batracotoxin without being affected.
According to National Geographic, scientists believe these species have specific mutations in their sodium channels, preventing the poison from binding to cell receptors.
This biological adaptation allows them to accumulate toxin without suffering the devastating effects that causes in other animals.
Currently, research teams, led by renowned institutions, continue to explore the habitat of these birds to understand the exact origin of bathecotoxin and the resistance mechanisms they have developed.
The toxin of the scarab
The most accepted theory, as the same source refers, is that the scarab that consumes this toxin, which is then stored in bird tissues. However, the possibility of an alternative source in the environment has not yet been ruled out.
With the advancement of investigations, scientists expect to identify new species that can also be carried out of similar toxins.
The discovery may contribute to the development of new studies in the field of neurobiology and even to potential medicinal applications.
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