Across ecosystems, many creatures rely on spiders as a regular or occasional food source, shaping a fascinating predator-prey relationship. These hunters often take advantage of spiders’ visibility while they rest in webs, lurk in foliage, or roam openly in search of mates. The availability of spiders as a protein-rich meal makes them an attractive dietary option, especially in environments where other prey is scarce.
Different species specialize in foraging strategies that expose spiders. Some pluck them directly from webs, sometimes even shaking the threads to lure the resident into view. Others dart into vegetation or probe into crevices, pulling out hidden arachnids with speed and precision. Their ability to adapt to various habitats ensures that spiders remain a consistent part of their diet.
The nutritional benefits of consuming spiders cannot be overstated. Spiders provide a concentrated source of protein, fats, and essential nutrients that support growth, energy, and reproduction. For many predators, especially smaller ones, these arachnids are an ideal size: large enough to provide substance, yet small enough to handle easily without excessive effort.
Geography also influences how often spiders are targeted. In tropical regions, where spider diversity and abundance are high, predation pressure is correspondingly greater. In temperate zones, the availability of spiders changes seasonally, with many hunters consuming them more during warmer months when populations peak. This dynamic ensures that the interaction remains important in maintaining ecological balance.
Birds That Eat Spiders
Wrens
Small, brown birds (about 4-5 inches long) with upright tails and loud songs. Found in backyards, woodlands, and gardens across North America and Europe. Wrens are voracious insectivores, routinely foraging for spiders on the ground or in foliage, and they’re especially fond of wolf spiders.
Sparrows (e.g., House Sparrow)
Compact birds (5-6 inches) with streaked brown plumage and conical bills. Common in urban areas, farms, and suburbs worldwide. They peck at spiders in soil or low vegetation, making them effective garden pest controllers.
Blackbirds (e.g., Common Blackbird)
Medium-sized (9-10 inches) with glossy black feathers in males and brown in females; yellow bills. Native to Europe and introduced elsewhere, inhabiting parks and fields. They probe soil for spiders and insects, consuming them regularly as part of a varied diet.
Bluebirds (e.g., Eastern Bluebird)
Vibrant blue-backed birds (6-7 inches) with rusty-red breasts. Prefer open woodlands and farmlands in North America. They feed spiders to their chicks and hunt them in grassy areas, thriving where native shrubs like dogwood provide cover.
Robins (e.g., American Robin)
Larger songbirds (9-11 inches) with gray backs, orange underparts, and yellow bills. Widespread in North American yards and forests. Robins tug spiders from the ground after rain, when they’re more active, and share them with nestlings.
Swallows (e.g., Barn Swallow)
Sleek, migratory birds (5-7 inches) with deeply forked tails and iridescent blue backs. Nest under eaves or bridges globally. Aerial acrobats, they snatch flying spiders or pluck them from webs to feed chicks.
Blue Tits
Small (4-5 inches) with bright blue crowns, yellow underparts, and black eye stripes. Common in European woodlands and gardens. They raid spider webs for eggs and adults, providing up to 75% of chick diets with taurine-rich spiders.
Great Tits
Slightly larger (5-6 inches) than blue tits, with bold black-and-white head patterns and yellow bellies. Found in Eurasian forests and suburbs. Similar to blue tits, they feed spiders to young, enhancing cognitive development through nutrients.
Crows (e.g., American Crow)
Large, all-black birds (17-21 inches) with thick bills and hoarse calls. Ubiquitous in fields, cities, and coasts worldwide. Omnivores that opportunistically grab spiders from the ground or webs, especially during foraging.
Jackdaws (e.g., Eurasian Jackdaw)
Sleek, gray-necked crows (12-13 inches) with pale eyes. Thrive in European farmlands and urban areas. They forage for spiders in soil or trees, benefiting from taurine in their diet.
Owls (e.g., Barn Owl)
Silent nocturnal hunters (12-16 inches) with heart-shaped faces and mottled plumage. Roost in barns and trees globally. Smaller owls like screech or elf owls capture spiders in low-light hunts, though it’s a minor part of their diet.
Hummingbirds (e.g., Ruby-throated Hummingbird)
Tiny (3-4 inches) iridescent jewels with long bills and rapid wingbeats. Hover in North American gardens and forests. They occasionally pluck small spiders or use spider silk for nests, supplementing their nectar-based diet.
Pigeons (e.g., Rock Pigeon)
Stocky (12-14 inches) with iridescent necks and cooing calls. Urban dwellers worldwide. As omnivores, they peck at ground-dwelling spiders in cities and parks.
Finches (e.g., House Finch)
Small (5-6 inches) with streaked bodies and red heads in males. Common in dry, open U.S. habitats like backyards. They include spiders in their seed-heavy diet, especially when attracting them with sunflower seeds.
Tanagers (e.g., Scarlet Tanager)
Colorful migrants (6-7 inches) with black wings and vivid red or yellow plumage. Breed in North American forests. They glean spiders from foliage during insect forays, adding variety to their fruit-insect mix.
Chickadees (e.g., Black-capped Chickadee)
Small, acrobatic birds (4-5 inches) with black caps, white cheeks, and cheerful calls. Common in North American forests, gardens, and suburbs. They glean spiders from branches and bark, with spiders forming a key part of their diet, especially for brain development in chicks due to taurine.
Nuthatches (e.g., White-breasted Nuthatch)
Stocky birds (5-6 inches) with blue-gray backs, black caps, and the ability to climb headfirst down trees. Found in deciduous woodlands across North America and Eurasia. They forage for spiders in bark crevices, making them efficient at controlling spider populations in trees.
Woodpeckers (e.g., Downy Woodpecker)
Compact (6-7 inches) with black-and-white plumage and red head patches in males. Inhabit forests, orchards, and backyards in North America. They drill into bark for spiders and larvae, often targeting web-dwelling species as a minor but regular dietary component.
Flycatchers (e.g., Great Crested Flycatcher)
Medium-sized (7-8 inches) with lemon-yellow bellies, rufous tails, and crested heads. Prefer open woodlands in the Americas. Aerial hunters that snatch spiders from webs or foliage, supplementing their insect-heavy diet.
Vireos (e.g., Red-eyed Vireo)
Olive-green birds (5-6 inches) with white eye rings and red irises in adults. Breed in deciduous forests across the Americas. They pluck spiders from leaves, often consuming them alongside caterpillars in their deliberate foraging style.
Warblers (e.g., Yellow Warbler)
Bright yellow birds (4-5 inches) with reddish streaks in males. Migrate through woodlands and wetlands in the Americas. Active gleaners that feed on spiders among foliage, especially during breeding when protein is crucial.
Thrushes (e.g., Wood Thrush)
Rust-brown birds (7-8 inches) with spotted breasts and flute-like songs. Thrive in moist eastern North American forests. They probe leaf litter for spiders, earthworms, and insects, relying on them heavily in breeding season.
Kinglets (e.g., Ruby-crowned Kinglet)
Tiny (3-4 inches) olive birds with wing-flicking habits and colorful crown patches. Found in coniferous forests across North America. They hover-glean spiders from twigs, forming a significant part of their high-energy insect diet.
Gnatcatchers (e.g., Blue-gray Gnatcatcher)
Slender (4-5 inches) with blue-gray plumage, long tails, and white eye rings. Inhabit open woods and scrub in the Americas. They actively hunt small spiders, often extracting them from webs without getting stuck.
Mockingbirds (e.g., Northern Mockingbird)
Gray birds (9-10 inches) with white wing patches and renowned mimicry songs. Common in open areas and suburbs across North America. Opportunistic foragers that eat spiders from the ground or vegetation, especially in summer.
Catbirds (e.g., Gray Catbird)
Slate-gray (8-9 inches) with black caps and mewing calls. Prefer dense thickets in eastern North America. They flip leaves to find spiders, which dominate their invertebrate diet alongside fruits.
Orioles (e.g., Baltimore Oriole)
Vibrant orange-and-black birds (7-8 inches) with melodious whistles. Breed in open woodlands in eastern North America. They glean spiders from foliage, vital for feeding young before switching to fruits.
Cardinals (e.g., Northern Cardinal)
Bright red males (8-9 inches) with crests and black face masks; females brown. Widespread in eastern U.S. shrubs and edges. They hop on the ground for spiders, incorporating them into their varied seed-insect diet.
Jays (e.g., Blue Jay)
Bold blue birds (9-12 inches) with crests and noisy calls. Inhabit forests and suburbs in eastern North America. Omnivores that snatch spiders from webs or ground, adding to their diverse intake.