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Yellow-vented Bulbul caught in a spider’s web

on 13th February 2014

“I had an unusual experience this morning, it already being a usual bird day. I was watching a large number of birds in a mixed foraging party when my attention was directed to an adult Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier). I often try to observe Yellow-vented Bulbuls that live in secondary forest as they behave somewhat differently from the urban dwelling ones.

“This bulbul was feeding but looked distressed.

“Looking up I saw the partner caught in a large spider web with the wings, tail and head entangled (above). It was about 9-10 meters above, so there was little I could do to help. Fortunately as I watched it flexed and extended the body and managed to break free after a few minutes and fly to safety.

“It is unlikely that the Yellow-vented Bulbul was attempting to take the spider as prey. It is more likely that due to the very large volume of birds feeding actively in a ‘melee’ the bird accidently flew into the web. I have seen smaller birds investigate spider webs and occasionally get covered in silk or transiently trapped (Brown-throated Sunbird) but not see a bird of this size get trapped.

“A quick review of literature and a web search showed that this is not that uncommon.

1. The best article is by Daniel M. Brooks. Birds Caught In Spider Webs: A Synthesis Of Patterns. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124(2):345–353, 2012 LINK. He reports a review of the literature which showed ‘Sixty-nine cases of birds representing 54 species in 23 families were reported trapped in spider webs’. Birds as large at the Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) were reported entangled. Brooks suggests that spiders, particularly the orb-weavers, are opportunistic predators of birds trapped in webs.

2. One regional report here: Ong Ei Leen. A white-eye entangled in a spider’s web. BESG. 22 Apr 2012 (LINK)

3. The spider responsible in this case is most likely a Nephila species Spider (Golden Orb-Web Spider) which is common at this forest reserve (above). Articles on this spider:
a. Malaysian Spiders LINK.
b. An article on Nephila species (Golden Orb-Web Spiders) LINK states that they are ‘the largest known web-spinning spider, and make the largest orb webs large enough and strong enough to accidentally catch small birds.’
c. Another article LINK says ‘The web is so strong and sticky that fishermen use it to make nets. They bend a branch into a teardrop shape and wave it back and forth through the golden silk orb weaver’s web.'”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
11th February 2013

Location: Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: A trail through mixed secondary forest bordered by primary jungle of the forest reserve

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

2 Responses

  1. Dear Dr Amar-Singh,

    I would very much appreciate more details (exact location, exact date) about the cases of birds getting caught in spiders webs which you observed (yellow vented bulbul, Brown-throated Sunbird, any others) because I am writing a scientific review of such cases for Asia (along the lines of Daniel Brooks’ paper in the Wilson Journal of Ornithology). Therefore, I would much appreciate any additional details, more cases, or contacts to other persons which might have relevant information.

    Yours sincerely,

    Dr Bruno Walther

    Visit our video and text website about the biodiversity crisis
    http://www.crisisoflife.net

    Assistant Professor
    Master Program in Global Health and Development
    College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University
    250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan, R.O.C.

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