Birds caught in spider webs in Asia. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walther, Bruno
• Is Part Of: Avian research. Volume 7:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Spider -- Predator–prey relationships -- Asia; Birds -- China -- Periodicals; Birds -- Periodicals; Ornithology -- Periodicals; 598.05
• DOI: 10.1186/s40657-016-0051-4
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-7166

Abstract

Abstract A recent global review of birds caught in spider webs reported only three Asian cases. Given this surprisingly low number, I made a concerted effort to obtain additional Asian cases from the literature, the internet, and field workers. I present a total of 56 Asian cases which pertain to 33 bird species. As in the global dataset, mostly small bird species were caught in spider webs, with a mean body mass of 17.5 g and a mean wing chord length of 73.1 mm. Consequently, birds with a body mass >30 g were very rarely caught. This Asian review corroborates the global review that smaller birds are more likely to be caught and thatNephila spiders are most likely to be the predators. Continuous monitoring of spider webs is recommended to ascertain the frequency of these events.