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Ifritas are small, chunky birds, about 6.5 inches long.  Males are brownish in color, and bear a light colored streak behind the eyes.  A ring of iridescent blue feathers is on top of the head, hence the name.  Females are similar, but more yellowish overall.

Ifritas are small, chunky birds, about 6.5 inches long.  Males are brownish in color, and bear a light colored streak behind the eyes.  A ring of iridescent blue feathers is on top of the head, hence the name.  Females are similar, but more yellowish overall.

Ifritas secrete a toxin through their skin into their feathers, the touch leaving the handler feeling numb.  A batrachotoxin, it is similar to secretions by South American [[poison dart frog]]s, and has led researchers to believe that the birds diet of certain insects - among them beetles of the genus ''Choresine''<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15520388</ref> - may provide them with the toxin<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/11/1109_041109_toxic_beetles_2.html</ref><ref>http://www.calacademy.org/science_now/academy_research/powerful_poison.php</ref>.

Ifritas secrete a toxin through their skin into their feathers, the touch leaving the handler feeling numb.  A batrachotoxin, it is similar to secretions by South American [[poison dart frog]]s, and has led researchers to believe that the birds diet of certain insects - among them beetles of the genus ''Choresine''<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15520388</ref> - may provide them with the toxin.<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/11/1109_041109_toxic_beetles_2.html</ref><ref>http://www.calacademy.org/science_now/academy_research/powerful_poison.php</ref>

==Threats==

==Threats==

The IUCN Red Data List has classified the blue-capped ifrita as "Least concern", based on a lack of threats either by humans or other animal species, and in part due to the bird's toxicity.  To date, a reliable count of the population has not been made<ref>http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=5621</ref>.

The IUCN Red Data List has classified the blue-capped ifrita as "Least concern", based on a lack of threats either by humans or other animal species, and in part due to the bird's toxicity.  To date, a reliable count of the population has not been made.<ref>http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=5621</ref>

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Perching Birds]]

[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Perching Birds]]