Class: Aves
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Order: Passeriformes
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Family: Colluricinclidae
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Genus: Pitohui
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Species: dichrous
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Subspecies: dichrous , monticola
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Common Names
Hooded Pitohui , Black-headed Pitohui
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Region
New Guinea
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Countries
Papua New Guinea
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Taxonomy and Biology
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Adult Length: 22 cm
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Habitat
Often found in mid mountain forests.
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Toxins
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General: Neurotoxins
sodium channel toxin (homobatrachotoxin)
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General: Myotoxins
Unknown
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General: Procoagulants
Not present
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General: Anticoagulants
Not present
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General: Haemorrhagins
Not present
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General: Nephrotoxins
Not present
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General: Cardiotoxins
sodium channel toxin (homobatrachotoxin)
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General: Necrotoxins
Not present
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General: Other Toxins
Unknown
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Clinical Effects
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General: Dangerousness
Not known to be dangerous to humans
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General: Rate of Envenoming: not relevant
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General: Untreated Lethality Rate: no evidence of lethality in humans
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General: Local Effects
Touching skin/mouth with toxin can cause tingling and numbness, can also stimulate sneezing.
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General: Local Necrosis
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: General Systemic Effects
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Myotoxicity
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Renal Damage
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Cardiotoxicity
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Other
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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First Aid
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Description: Poisoning by contact with or ingestion of poisonous birds (pitohui etc).
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Details
Skin contact: 1. Wash skin with water
Oral ingestion: 1. Irrigate mouth with copious amounts of water (do not swallow water). 2. Providing there is no conscious state or other impairment that might render vomiting hazardous, through inhalation of vomitus, induction of vomiting may be useful. Alternatively, consider absorption using activated charcoal.
The major theoretical risk from poisoning by poisonous bird secretions is systemic toxicity, particularly cardiac toxicity, resulting in cardiac arrhythmias, altered blood pressure, cardiac failure or other related effects, or neurotoxicity, generally a flaccid (or possibly spastic) paralysis, which may extend to respiratory paralysis. This risk is based on experience with certain Dendrobatid (poison dart) frogs that contain a similar toxin to that found in poisonous birds from New Guinea. However, there is no current evidence that humans have suffered major poisoning from contact with these birds and while New Guinea natives generally avoid eating these birds, they can be eaten if appropriately preparred (avoiding feathers and skin). The following is therefore based on theoretical poisoning, not actual cases of human poisoning:
Carefully observe for altered pulse rate or rhythm or signs of cardiac failure and support cardiac function, if possible. Specifically, if there is cardiac arrest, apply full external cardiorespiratory resuscitation. If there is flaccid or spastic paralysis, protect the airway. If there is respiratory paralysis, support respiration with expired air resuscitation.
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Treatment
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Treatment Summary
Major poisoning from contact with the feathers or skin, or after pecking by these birds is not known. Minor local irritation can occur, particularly in and around the mouth. If this occurs, thoroughly wash the affected area/irrigate the oral cavity. To avoid such effects, avoid direct contact between skin and any part of these birds.
Ingestion of these birds, though never reported as causing significant poisoning, might, theoretically, cause adverse effects. Removal of stomach contents or use of activated charcoal would be appropriate after ingestion, plus supportive measures if major systemic effects develop.
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Key Diagnostic Features
Local tingling, numbness, especially around mouth, after contact with the bird. Sneezing may also occur.
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General Approach to Management
Most cases will be minor & not require admission.
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Antivenom Therapy
No antivenom available
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