Blue-capped ifrit

Species of bird

The blue capped ifrit (Ifrita kowaldi), also known as the blue capped ifrita, is a small and insectivorous passerine species currently placed in the monotypic family, Ifritidae. Previously, the ifrit has been placed in a plethora of families including Cinclosomatidae or Monarchidae.

The blue capped ifrit is 16–17 cm (6.3–6.7 in) long and weighs 34 36 g (1.2–1.3 oz). Species plumage is yellowish brown with a blue black crown atop their broad head. It is a sexually dimorphic species, with ear streak coloration being white in males and more tawny yellow in females.

Blue capped ifrits are endemic to New Guinea and Papua New Guinea, being found nowhere else on earth and having a distribution of 388,000 km2. Ifrits inhabit montane rainforest of New Guinea, living in altitude ranges of 1,000–4,000 meters (3,280–13,123 feet) above sea level.

Blue capped ifrits are among a small group of avian species that are poisonous, the others being the little shrikethrush (Colluricincla), and several members of the Pitohui, also from New Guinea. Ifrits excrete batrachotoxin into their feathers and skin in order to defend themselves against predators. The accumulation of toxins varies in individuals based on the region they are found in and this could be due to the availability of Choresine beetles, which are speculated to be the dietary source of the toxin itself.

Ifrits are of least concern because they have a large range. Ifrits seem to have a stable population and are thought to have quite a large population size.