Gigantic Spider Gobbles Bird in Front of Camera

3 years ago Nature

Bird_ Eating_Spider_from_AustraliaPhoto:
Image: ozgipsy

This is a series of photos to make even the most ardent of arachnophiles or the most bullish of bird bashers squirm in their seats, wincing at the image of that poor little tweety pie getting eaten by that beastly looking spider. The spider stealing the limelight – as well as its avian victim's vital fluids – is the none too unpleasantly named golden silk orb weaver, while its unfortunate meal was a type of finch.

Bird_ Eating_Spider_from_AustraliaPhoto:
Image: ozgipsy

Snapped in the backyard of a resident of Queensland, Australia in October 2008, the disturbing sequence shows the bird, identified as a chestnut-breeded mannikin, caught in the web of its arachnid nemesis. As the mannikin's struggling subsides, the spider decides it's feeding time and goes in for the kill. Golden orb weavers are known for their strong, finely meshed webs, but this one must have been like steel to keep the bird from taking wing.

Bird_ Eating_Spider_from_AustraliaPhoto:
Image: ozgipsy

With the finch now visibly more entangled in the spider's silk strands, it's game over. It's actually unusual, though not unheard of, for golden orb weavers to prey on birds; they're more likely to be found feeding on flying insects including bees, wasps, moths and butterflies. They can, however, grow to what to some might seem an alarming size: at least as big as a human hand. Big enough for this mannikin, even if the spider didn't finish its dinner, unable as it was to eat the entire bird.

Sources: 1, 2, 3

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Written by: Karl Fabricius

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Comments

Old Comments

Hell-Yeah says

Nov 24th, 2009 at 12am
@funkygibbin <------ Do your Research before you get bitten also check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_silk_orb-weaver http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3353693/Giant-spider-eating-a-bird-caught-on-camera.html

Peter says

Oct 4th, 2009 at 12am
Not sure if this is a fake or not. We have these giant orb spiders in Japan too - pretty common. The span of their webs is incredible. Usually a bit smaller than hand size, but they can get really big. I've seen plenty approaching the size of the one in the photo. Luckily they usually make their webs straddling trees quite high up about 15 foot or so, but sometimes lower -- then remembering to duck on the bike is a must! They are poisonous, but it's unusual to come in direct contact with them (unlucky too!) I my early days here I did come across one crawling out from under a rock - gave me the willies - it mus have just finished laying eggs (they lay eggs terra firma) - it was the last time I went off piste and wnadering amongst the rocks!

-gary- says

Sep 28th, 2009 at 12am
wtf? why are we not killing these big ass spiders? i duno bout u guys, but i dnt want these bitches running around.

danielle says

Sep 18th, 2009 at 12am
i would of ran away no way would i stay n tek pictures of it killin a bird no way. hate spiders n always will. just the fawt of them meks my skin crawl yuk. the bird looked colourful ne way haha :-)

Dave says

Sep 9th, 2009 at 12am
This is real all right. It is a golden orb weaver, and the tropical / subtropical varieties can get huge. We had some in the back lane behind our house (Queensland, Australia), and it was always a lot of fun coming home the worse for wear and getting one stuck on your face, web and all. Must say though the spider usually came off worse than I did. My brother was terrified of 'em and used to wear a motorcycle helmet to walk up the lane - there was a memorable night when he was trying to sneak in the bottom window still wearing it ...

Subecku says

Sep 4th, 2009 at 12am
I wish I could get one to throw on my ex wife

Matt says

Aug 5th, 2009 at 12am
I would have killed the spider right off and saved the beautiful bird.

martin says

Jul 23rd, 2009 at 12am
stupid finch!

Tam says

Jul 23rd, 2009 at 12am
Hmmm... this could be phoney. I have loads of these spiders in my backyard, I've lived with them for years and while I've seen ones this big (hand-sized), I've never seen one deal with prey larger than a moth. Notice the aviary-style mesh in the background of one picture? I reckon someone cruelly thought it might make a cool scary picture if they put a bird (not a wild breed, I might add) into this arachnid's web. Or that's clearly the most badass spider ever.

Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist! says

Jul 22nd, 2009 at 12am
oh my god. That spider is dreadfully huge. I would have had a heart attack if it was in the backyard. I'd probably call in a pest exterminator and beg them to move the spider somewhere else.