Ifrit

The blue-capped ifrit, a small, insect-eating bird endemic to the montane rainforests of New Guinea, is the solitary member of its family, Ifritidae. This ancient and sexually dimorphic species, with a distinctive blue-black crown on males and more tawny coloration on females, is known for its unique stout build and short, rounded wings, which contribute to its weak flying abilities. It possesses a rare adaptation among birds, having batrachotoxin in its feathers and skin for defense, speculated to be sourced from their diet of certain beetles. They build camouflaged nests low in dense vegetation, usually with a single offspring, possibly as an evolutionary response to predation. Despite their unique characteristics, blue-capped ifrits are of least concern regarding conservation, due to their stable and potentially large population across a wide range.