The northern variable pitohui (Pitohui kirhocephalus) is a species of pitohui in the family Oriolidae. It is found on New Guinea and a number of neighbouring islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is also one of the few known poisonous birds.

The northern variable pitohui was renamed from the variable pitohui in 2013 following the split of the Raja Ampat pitohui and the southern variable pitohui.^[2]

Eleven subspecies are recognized:^[3]

• Pitohui kirhocephalus kirhocephalus - (Lesson & Garnot, 1827): Found on eastern Vogelkop (north-western New Guinea)
• Pitohui kirhocephalus dohertyi - Rothschild & Hartert, 1903: Originally described as a separate species. Found in Wandammen area (north-western New Guinea)
• Pitohui kirhocephalus rubiensis - (Meyer, AB, 1884): Originally described as a separate species. Found from head of Cenderawasih Bay to Triton Bay (western New Guinea)
• Pitohui kirhocephalus brunneivertex - Rothschild, 1931: Found on eastern coast of Cenderawasih Bay (north-western New Guinea)
• Pitohui kirhocephalus decipiens - (Salvadori, 1878): Originally described as a separate species. Found on the Onin Peninsula (south-western New Guinea)
• Pitohui kirhocephalus adiensis - Mees, 1964: Found on Adi Island (off south-western New Guinea)
• Pitohui kirhocephalus carolinae - Junge, 1952: Found in the Etna Bay region of south-western New Guinea
• Pitohui kirhocephalus jobiensis - (Meyer, AB, 1874): Originally described as a separate species. Found on Kurudu Island and Yapen (off north-western New Guinea)
• Pitohui kirhocephalus meyeri - Rothschild & Hartert, 1903: Originally described as a separate species. Found on the Mamberamo coast (northern New Guinea)
• Pitohui kirhocephalus senex - Stresemann, 1922: Found in the upper Sepik region (northern New Guinea)
• Pitohui kirhocephalus brunneicaudus - (Meyer, AB, 1891): Originally described as a separate species. Found in the lower Sepik region to Astrolabe Bay (northern New Guinea)