Can spiders kill hummingbirds?

Spiders and hummingbirds inhabit overlapping ecosystems across the Americas, which raises an interesting question – can spiders kill and eat hummingbirds? At first glance, it may seem unlikely that a tiny spider could take down an energetic hummingbird. However, there are some spiders large enough and venomous enough to potentially pose a threat under the right circumstances.

Spider hunting strategies

Most spiders are ambush predators that construct webs and wait for prey to become ensnared. Other hunting spiders stealthily stalk their prey on foot. Spiders typically consume insects and other small invertebrates, but some of the largest spider species can kill small vertebrates including lizards, mice, and birds.

Here are some of the hunting strategies used by spiders that could potentially pose a threat to hummingbirds:

• Web building – Some spiders spin extremely strong webs using silk strands thicker than sewing thread. Larger birds can become fatally entangled in webbing.
• Venom – Spider venom rapidly paralyzes and kills prey. Venom strength varies greatly, but some large spiders possess neurotoxins potent enough to kill small animals.
• Stealth ambush – Spiders like trapdoor spiders conceal themselves and wait for prey to come within striking distance. Their lightning-quick ambush can overpower small, unsuspecting victims.
• Chase down – Agile spiders like wolf spiders and jumping spiders can actively run down prey once detected.

Spider size

Most spiders are tiny and only consume minute insects. But there are some spiders large enough to potentially overpower a hummingbird:

For comparison, a typical hummingbird body is 3-6 inches long, with only a fraction of that being edible body mass once feathers are accounted for. So some large spiders are capable of taking down prey as large as or larger than a hummingbird.

Evidence of spider predation on hummingbirds

There are a handful of credible reports of spiders preying on hummingbirds. Here are some documented examples:

Goliath birdeater spider

The goliath birdeater spider is the world’s largest spider by mass and size. It occasionally preys on birds, especially nestlings. In the wild, they have been observed feeding on hummingbirds. Their size and venom make them capable hunters of hummingbirds.

Golden silk orb-weaver spider

This large tropical spider builds huge circular webs up to 6 feet across that can entangle hummingbirds. Their venom quickly immobilizes prey. There are multiple reports of golden orb spiders preying on ruby-throated hummingbirds in the southern U.S.

Jumping spiders

Jumping spiders are known to take down prey larger than themselves, including occasional small birds. There are rare documented cases of jumping spiders killing hummingbirds, especially nestlings and fledglings. The spiders deliver a potent venomous bite to paralyze the prey.

Can spiders kill adult hummingbirds?

While most documented cases involve spiders preying on young hummingbirds and eggs, some spiders appear capable of killing small adult hummingbirds under the right circumstances:

• Hummingbirds can become entangled in large spiderwebs, leaving them vulnerable to the resident spider.
• Stealthy ambush predators like trapdoor spiders can grab onto and bite adult hummingbirds when surprise attacked.
• Certain large spiders like the goliath birdeater have the size and venom potency to physically overpower hummingbirds.

However, killing healthy adult hummingbirds is likely a rare event given the birds’ speed and agility in normal conditions.

Factors making predation more likely

Here are some factors that increase the odds of a spider successfully attacking an adult hummingbird:

• Hummingbird is molting and missing key flight feathers
• Hummingbird is ill or disabled by injury
• Spider surprises a hummingbird nesting or feeding
• Hummingbird gets stuck in thick spider webbing

So while challenging, spiders are capable of preying on hummingbirds of all life stages given the right circumstances.

Ways hummingbirds avoid spider predation

Hummingbirds have adaptations and behaviors that help minimize the threat posed by spiders:

• Camouflage – Their small size and neutral-colored plumage makes them hard to detect.
• Extreme mobility – They are one of the most agile flying birds, making them difficult to catch.
• Nest defense – Adults aggressively defend nests against intruders including spiders.
• Nest placement – They often build nests on slender branches away from trunks patrolled by spiders.
• Caution around webs – They tend to avoid flying into large webs during foraging.

By taking advantage of their unique adaptations, hummingbirds are able to coexist with predatory spiders most of the time despite the innate risks.

Anti-spider nest defenses

Hummingbirds have evolved intriguing strategies to protect their nests from spiders and other predators:

• Decorating the outside with lichen or moss to camouflage nests.
• Using sticky silk on the outer nest to entangle spiders.
• Weaving stinging nettle plants into the nest to deter predators.

So hummingbirds have developed both behavioral and physical anti-spider defenses to allow successful nesting in spider-rich habitats.

Conclusion

While primarily predating on insects and other invertebrates, some spiders are capable of capturing and feeding on hummingbirds, especially the youngest and most vulnerable. Unique adaptations like rapid flight and nest defense strategies help hummingbirds reduce the risk of spider attacks. But under the right circumstances, some large venomous spiders can successfully prey on hummingbirds of all life stages. So in rare instances, spiders are able to lethally use their impressive hunting tactics on these agile, energetic birds. However, hummingbirds’ adaptations normally keep them safe from spider predation in the wild.

In summary, the question “Can spiders kill hummingbirds?” can indeed be answered in the affirmative, despite the challenges posed by hunting an agile, fast-flying bird. With stealth, venom and sturdy webs, a spider can turn one of nature’s feistiest aerialists into prey. But thankfully for hummingbirds, their own adaptations normally keep them one step ahead. The life-and-death dance between spider and hummingbird will continue playing out across their shared habitats, with deadly yet rare results.

References

• Ramel, Gordon. “Earth’s Largest Spider.” Earth Life, https://www.earthlife.net/chelicerata/arachnids/spiders/goliath.html.
• Marshall, Michael. “World’s Largest Spider Eats Birds.” New Scientist, https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17156-worlds-largest-spider-eats-birds/.
• Erickson, Laura. “Golden Silk Spiders Catch, Eat Hummingbirds.” National Geographic, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/golden-silk-spiders-eating-hummingbirds-spiders/.
• Kritsky, Gene. “Jumping Spiders of the Southeastern U.S.” American Entomologist, vol. 59, no. 1, https://academic.oup.com/ae/article/59/1/20/262471.
• Clark, Dawne. “Just Don’t Call It a Bird’s Nest: Why Hummingbird Nests Are So Amazing.” Columbia University Irving Medical Center, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/just-dont-call-it-birds-nest-why-hummingbird-nests-are-so-amazing.