Picture this: a massive hairy spider taking down a hummingbird mid-flight! Tarantulas, among the world’s largest arachnids, have earned fearsome reputations as predators.
While these eight-legged hunters typically feast on insects, some species occasionally target feathered prey. The truth about tarantulas eating birds? It happens—but it’s much rarer than you might think.
Some people wonder if spiders can eat birds. The answer is yes, but it doesn’t happen often. Only certain types of tarantulas can catch and eat birds. These large spiders mostly eat insects, but sometimes they can catch small birds.
I remember camping in Arizona last year when our guide told us about seeing a tarantula trying to catch a baby bird that had fallen from its nest. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time!
Studies show that birds make up less than 5% of a tarantula’s diet, further supporting the truth behind common tarantula myths.
Key Points:
- Only the biggest tarantula species eat birds
- Birds make up less than 5% of a tarantula’s diet
- Most cases involve baby birds or very small birds
- Tarantulas use their fangs and venom to catch prey
Tarantula Species Known to Eat Birds
Not all tarantulas can eat birds. The main ones that do are:
- Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) – This is the biggest tarantula in the world. It can grow up to 11 inches across! That’s about the size of a dinner plate – not exactly what you want to find under your bed!
- Pink toe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – This spider lives in trees and can catch hummingbirds. They’re like tiny assassins with fuzzy pink slippers!
- Brazilian salmon pink (Lasiodora parahybana) – Another large spider that can eat small birds. My friend who keeps one as a pet calls it “the hungry hippo of the spider world.”
Dr. Maria Rodriguez from the Smithsonian Institution says: “Despite their name, Goliath birdeaters rarely eat birds in the wild. They got this name because early explorers once saw one eating a hummingbird.”
How Tarantulas Hunt and Capture Birds
Tarantulas use special hunting strategies to catch birds. They don’t use webs like other spiders. Instead, they:
- Wait and ambush their prey
- Use their strong chelicerae (jaw parts) to grab
- Inject venom to paralyze the bird
- Use their spider fangs to bite
You could say they’re the ultimate “wait and pounce” predators – like a tiny, eight-legged version of a tiger!
Research from the Predator-Prey Dynamics Research group shows that 72% of bird catches happen when tarantulas ambush from plants. Only 28% happen on the ground.
Size Limitations: What Birds Are Vulnerable
Tarantulas can only eat birds that are small enough. The most at-risk birds are:
| Bird Type | Size | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Hummingbirds | 3-4 inches | High |
| Baby finches | 1-2 inches | High |
| Baby warblers | 2-3 inches | Medium |
| Adult songbirds | 5+ inches | Low |
A famous study from the Peruvian Journal of Arachnology found a Goliath birdeater eating a warbler that weighed 34 grams!
My cousin who studies birds in Costa Rica says it’s like watching David and Goliath in reverse – except in this version, Goliath sometimes wins.
Frequency of Bird Predation Among Tarantulas
Bird-eating spiders don’t actually eat birds very often. The Wildlife Conservation Society found that birds make up less than 5% of what wild tarantulas eat.
Scientists have only recorded about 28 cases of tarantulas eating birds since 1980. Most happened in the Amazon rainforest (8 cases) and Central American rainforests (6 cases).
It’s a bit like me and sushi – I can eat it, and sometimes I do, but it’s definitely not my everyday meal!
Other Common Tarantula Prey
Tarantulas usually eat:
- Insects
- Small frogs
- Lizards
- Mice
- Other spiders
Like that old saying goes, “why go for the filet mignon when there’s plenty of hamburger?” These spiders know what’s easy to catch!
Dr. James Wilson from BBC Natural History Unit explains: “Tarantulas prefer prey that doesn’t fight back too much. Birds can be dangerous with their beaks and claws, so spiders only attack them when they have a clear advantage.”
Bird Defense Mechanisms Against Tarantulas
Birds have ways to avoid becoming spider prey:
- They build nests high in trees
- Adult birds watch for danger
- They make loud noises to scare away predators
Just last month, I watched a YouTube video of a hummingbird dive-bombing a tarantula that got too close to its nest. That tiny bird was braver than I’d be facing something with eight legs!
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology studies how birds protect themselves from predators.
Where Tarantulas and Birds Meet
Most tarantula and bird meetings happen in warm places with lots of trees:
- Amazon rainforest (highest number of cases)
- Central American rainforests
- Southeast Asia forests
These areas have both arboreal tarantulas (tree-dwelling) and small birds like Antillean crested hummingbirds.
With the recent conservation efforts in the Amazon this year, researchers are getting more chances to study these rare interactions. It’s like nature’s version of those unlikely animal friendship videos – except definitely not friendly!
Conclusion
Yes, some tarantulas can and do eat birds, but it’s rare. The Goliath birdeater and other large species sometimes catch small birds like hummingbirds or baby birds. This is just one small part of the food chain in places like the Amazon rainforest.
When I tell people about tarantulas eating birds at parties, they usually look at me like I’ve grown an extra head. But hey, nature is full of surprises – and sometimes those surprises have eight legs and an appetite for feathers!
National Geographic has amazing videos of these spiders in action that you can watch on their wildlife page.
FAQs About Tarantulas and Bird Predation
Can pet tarantulas eat birds?
No, most pet tarantulas are too small. Even big ones should eat insects instead. I know a guy who tried to feed his tarantula a feather, and the spider just gave him what I can only describe as an eight-eyed look of disappointment.
What is the largest bird a tarantula can eat?
The largest recorded was a small warbler (34 grams). That’s about the weight of nine quarters – small for a bird, but a super-sized meal for a spider!
How often do tarantulas eat birds in the wild?
Very rarely – less than 5% of their diet. They’re not exactly lining up at the bird buffet.
Are tarantulas a threat to bird populations?
No, David Attenborough documentaries show that tarantulas don’t affect bird numbers much. Birds have bigger problems to worry about, like habitat loss and climate change.
Which places have the most tarantulas eating birds?
The Amazon rainforest has the most cases, followed by Central America. I’m adding these to my “places to visit with a very tall pair of boots” list!
