Aussie Finch Forum

just wanted to share a recent experience with this tough stuff.
as a rule I do not actively discourage spiders building their webs around the framework and flight wire as I have noticed that my more insectivorous species regularly scour them looking for bugs/spiders.
yesterday I found a bird caught in a golden orb weavers web, thoroughly encased in web(dead) with a large spider in attendance, the web was not there the day before.
the spider was a large one, heavier than the unfortunate finch and was in the process of making a meal of it!
I have not provided any pics as I am sure you get the scenario here....

just thought I should post this to make us be more aware of the dangers out their for our birds.
the web was quite strong and too much for the bird concerned, and as soon as it struggled I am sure the spider came running.
I have since sent him/her to a better place....
just another way I have found to lose one!

Id be more worried about walking into it myself. Id freak out and kill more finches with my spaz attack.

Thanks for the post. Like you I dont destroy the webs.

That's freaky CC,i'm afraid my birds come before any darn spider or webs Craig

CC,
The question is , how in the hell did a golden orb weaver that size, able to snare a finch get inside? I have had massive huntsman inside which I am sure have fed on newly hatched chicks because I only enter when absolutely necessary. They can enter through the thinnest flat area but a weaver? I have one down behind the aviary and one near the back door, I agree with the spaz attacks, but the worst of all is the big fat bar...rds with an arse as big as a 10 or 20 cent piece and sticky web that really give me the creeps.

Have seen golden orbs or something of the same family when way up north barra fishing with micro bats in their web. They got me one night when out of then tent to relieve myself. Not pretty.

Ken.

Search "Spider Eating Finch" for pic

Arthur,

That photo has been round for years, poor old chestnut! The question is still, how in the hell did it get in given what sort of spider it is?

Ken.

matcho wrote:Arthur,

That photo has been round for years, poor old chestnut! The question is still, how in the hell did it get in given what sort of spider it is?

Ken.

Probably as a baby spider,they grow pretty quick sucken on finches Craig

Okay Craig,

I give up!

thanks for the feedback!
I too have seen that poor old chestnut pic as well, it was rated "g" in comparison with what I saw.
complacency on my part was to blame....thought they only frequented coastal/tropical zones not semi-arid like my dustbowl.
not sure if the spider in question would fit through 12mm mesh but like others said it may have grown once inside.
just another critter to add to my hated list, along with brown snakes, mice, rats, butcher birds etc etc.
matcho....you are well named!....big girls blouse must have been taken....

CC,

Didn't earn the name, was born with it! Shortened form of my surname. Would have made a great Youtube, a half naked, 3 parts pi...d grown man running around in the scrub like a lunatic yelling and screaming like a little girl. And I ain't afraid to admit it! The other blokes in the camp thought it was really funny. But karma is a strange thing, it became totally different when the shoe was on the other foot.

Ken.