Many bird species eat spiders as one of their primary sources of food. Some of the most well-known bird species that eat spiders include blackbirds, bluebirds, sparrows, crows, wrens, blue tits, jackdaws, and even barn swallows.
For many birds, spiders represent a relatively easy type of prey. The majority of birds go after spiders that are not venomous enough to hurt or kill them, but some birds go after even the more dangerous spiders. Birds also prefer to hunt smaller spiders and especially baby spiders if they find an opportunity to do so.
8 Birds that Eat Spiders
Here’s a list of birds that eat spiders.
1. Blackbirds
Blackbirds eat spiders and they represent a primary food source for this bird. These birds like to gather their food directly from the ground, so they catch smaller spiders that are crawling on the ground, or what we call ‘terrestrial spiders’.
Blackbirds are found all over the world, including parts of Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and even Africa. This species is particularly fond of gardens and woody areas where they can use their strong eyesight and their relatively small stature to hunt other animals.
They particularly enjoy smaller and baby spiders, because these spiders are often left unprotected and are still learning how to survive in the wild. Then, the blackbird would take the spider into its nest and feed it to its offspring.
In addition to spiders, blackbirds will also eat all sorts of insects, earthworms, snails, as well as non-carnivorous foods such as berries, fruits, and seeds.
2. Bluebirds
Bluebirds eat spiders that are found in the grass, such as grass spiders! These birds like to pounce on the targets that they locate on the ground with their brilliant eyesight. They strike from above, giving spiders and other animals of prey little to no time to prepare for the bird attack.
Bluebirds are beautiful little birds that are known for their distinct sky-blue color that is often mixed with orange, white, or grey. They’re one of the most vivid and colorful North American bird species, but they’re also found in Central and South America.
Like the blackbird, the bluebird will also go after smaller spiders, especially those located on the ground. This particularly involves the baby spiders that are left on their own by their families, so they’re not good at protecting themselves. Before pouncing on a spider, the bluebird might spend several minutes and even hours watching and waiting for the right opportunity.
3. Sparrows
Sparrows are largely opportunistic animals that also prefer waiting for the right opportunity to attack their animals of prey. They have to employ this tactic because they’re smaller birds, so they’re often targeted by other larger birds and creatures in their vicinity. But they’re nimble and very fast, so they can pounce quite quickly.
These cute little brown birds are very sociable animals. They like to live near or around humans, so they sometimes get their food from human sources, such as waste food.
But they’re also more than capable of catching prey on their own, thanks to their quick wit, fast movements, and of course, strong senses. They also collect most of their food from the ground where they’ll collect small insects, spiders, and they’ll also occasionally eat fruits, seeds, and foods that get leftover by humans.
4. Crows
Crows are one of the most versatile and adaptable bird species in the world when it comes to eating food. Crows like to eat almost anything around them, as they are omnivores. They’ll eat insects, spiders, invertebrates, and will also collect fruits or vegetables if they need to.
These birds are not as active hunters as some of the previously mentioned bird species – they’re scavengers by nature, which means they’ll eat whatever they can find around them, and they’re quite adaptable with their food.
This allows the birds to survive for extended periods without having real hunting opportunities around them. They come alive at night, which is when they’ll start to prey on smaller insects if they find no other opportunities, as well as spiders.
5. Wrens
Wrens are one of the smallest spider species in the world, and they often create their nests in and around homes. This is why they have to be particularly good at harvesting smaller animals such as spiders or insects.
They especially prefer to attack spider nests and go after their eggs whenever possible. Of course, they also won’t say no to baby spiders if they can locate them. However, wrens will almost never, or rarely, go after larger spiders.
6. Blue Tits
The blue tit is the European cousin of the chickadee, and it will feed on spiders if they find the opportunity to do so.
This bird is particularly fond of smaller spiders that it will feed to its birds in its nest before they grow up. And by feeding baby spiders to their chicks, blue tits make sure that their babies grow into intelligent and strong birds.
7. Jackdaws
The Jackdaw is one of the most iconic birds that has many different stories about it; one of them is that if a jackdaw enters or presides on your roof, it is predicting a new arrival to your family.
But these birds have to be very good at catching insects and smaller spiders if they are to survive the harsh conditions. Jackdaws are capable of hunting smaller spiders and sometimes go after larger spiders if they can find them in their vicinity.
8. Barn Swallows
The barn swallow is one of the most widely spread bird species in the world. These birds like to breed in man-made structures like a barn, for instance, which is where they got their name from.
They’ve spread extensively and will find shelter inside enclosed spaces, where they will also collect almost any type of food they can find – insects, spiders, and other smaller animals.
However, if need be, these birds will also venture outside a barn or a structure where they preside to locate animals of prey, which gives them a good chance of survival.
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Conclusion
Birds are one of the chief animals that hunt spiders, and there are many bird species around the world that feed on spiders. Smaller and baby spiders are particularly vulnerable to bird attacks, but some bird species might even go after larger spiders, although that is quite rare.
Blackbird Image by Mabel Amber from Pixabay
Bluebird Image by stephmcblack from Pixabay
Sparrow Image by Here and now from Pixabay
Crow Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
Wren Image by Jack Bulmer from Pixabay
Blue Tit Image by ray jennings from Pixabay
Jackdaw Image by InspiredImages from Pixabay
Barn Swallow Image by 16081684 from Pixabay
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