question for all bird eating owners..

[that70sshow]

just a quick question out of curiousity. anyone ever try the the whole bird eating thing?

 

[paul fleming]

They don't normally eat birds in the wild so no point in trying it really......

 

[that70sshow]

They don't normally eat birds in the wild so no point in trying it really......

oh alright that clears it up. i read that the t blondi was discovered by witnessing it devouring a small bird. and it does take out mice. so there is a chance it would take a bird. at least i would think. but maybe recent studies say they dont prey on bird?:?

 

[endoflove]

mabe a small bird like a finch or humming bird may be

 

[paul fleming]

oh alright that clears it up. i read that the t blondi was discovered by witnessing it devouring a small bird. and it does take out mice. so there is a chance it would take a bird. at least i would think. but maybe recent studies say they dont prey on bird?:?

I think that was a mistake mate.....I will try to dig out the actual account but I have a feeling it was wrong
If it could catch a bird,no doubt it would have a go......it will take mice,rats and snakes in the wild.

 

[presurcukr]

They have been known to take baby birds that fell from nests

 

[Avicularia Man]

I would imagine they eat birds in the wild. But I am thinking baby bird they come across in the nest or that has fallen from the nest. I don't see it happening to often though.

 

[LeilaNami]

I'm sure it would be like feeding rodents though less fattening. There's a zoo here that feeds their larger Ts an occasional chick.

 

[Tindalos]

they will eat one thats for sure. but its rare that it happens.
Any T will just take whatever comes to them from a roach to bird.
some T's will come upon a dead bird and eat a bit of that.

But birds are definitely not a mainstay in the tarantula diet.
besides i don't think a T even knows what a bird is.

 

[Smitty78]

I'm sure it would be like feeding rodents though less fattening. There's a zoo here that feeds their larger Ts an occasional chick.

I ocassionally use chicks for some of my larger females 1st meal post molt. Other than that roaches are the mainstay for the rest of the year.

 

[Moltar]

I think that Avicularia are the only tarantulas that have been actually observed to eat birds in the wild. If you think about it they're much more likely to encounter them than a ground dwelling T and, being as quick as they are, much more likely to actually catch them too. I believe Avicularia actually translates to "bird eater" or somehing close.

 

[Merfolk]

Pokies are pretty capable too, but I think they mostly eat moth and small lizards.

 

[Spunky]

just a quick question out of curiousity. anyone ever try the the whole bird eating thing?

I have eaten birds (mostly chicken ) at least monthly.

 

[Big B]

X2 I like chicken the most. Chicken strips with ranch is yummy:drool:

 

[Teal]

LOL ^ I agree, chicken is yummy!

I don't see why T. blondi or similar species wouldn't eat a baby bird or something they came across on the ground... we feed them small-ish prey, but documentaries show Ts taking out prey MUCH bigger than themselves.

Personally... I couldn't feed a baby chick to a spider. I've raised chickens since I was a youngin' and I think that might be a little beyond my capabilities LOL

 

[Big B]

I saw a video on youtube, that had a big T going for a live baby chick. The chick just kept pecking the spider everytime it got too close. The T gave up and left it alone.

 

[Steve Calceatum]

I think that Avicularia are the only tarantulas that have been actually observed to eat birds in the wild. If you think about it they're much more likely to encounter them than a ground dwelling T and, being as quick as they are, much more likely to actually catch them too. I believe Avicularia actually translates to "bird eater" or somehing close.

I believe Avicularia means "Bird-Like." I've not seen either of my Avics move fast enough to catch a bird.....but that doesn't mean it is impossible. I do recall a terrestrial species of spider who's staple diet does consist of small birds. However, I do not believe that one is a Theraphosid sp.

Roaches are now the mainstay of my collection, though I would not be opposed to trying small vertabrates at some point.

 

[paul fleming]

The Goliath Bird-eating Spider (also called the Goliath Birdeater) (Theraphosa blondi) is an arachnid belonging to the tarantula family, Theraphosidae, and is considered to be the largest spider (by leg-span) in the world. The spider was named by explorers from the Victorian era, who witnessed one eating a hummingbird.

Despite its name, the Goliath Birdeater does not normally eat birds. As with other species of spider, (specifically tarantulas), their diet consists primarily of insects and other invertebrates. However, because of its naturally large size, it is not uncommon for this species to kill and consume a variety of vertebrates. In the wild, larger species of tarantula have been seen feeding on rodents, lizards, and even bats.

I think that explains that.....let's move on please
If I put anything small enough in front of my Lp......it would be history.
It has already ate mice.......draw the line at birds though.....can you imagine how much damage flapping wings could do to a delicate T body ?

 

[JDeRosa]

Actually I think there is a video on youtube of a guy feeding a chick to a birdeater.

 

[paul fleming]

I never said they would not eat a bird....in fact....I said my big Lp's would eat anything put in front of them.
I just don't think it is something they naturally do in the wild.....hence the mistake with the name.
This debate is, why they are called "bird eaters"....not if they will eat birds,which we all know they will.....if it's laid out in front of them or falls from a nest.
Bird eating spiders,if you have ever owned one,are not really quick....not in the avic or pokie sense anyway.
Paul