Bird Dropping Spider

Scientific Name: Celaenia excavata

Order & Family: Araneae: Araneidae

Size: Females can grow up to 12 mm; males are much smaller, around 2.5 mm.

Bird Dropping Spider

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in gardens, orchards, and urban areas throughout Australia, often resting on the upper surfaces of leaves during the day.

Diet & Feeding

Mainly feeds on male moths. The spider mimics the scent (pheromones) of female moths to lure male moths close enough to capture.

Behavior Patterns

It is a master of mimicry, evolving to look exactly like a bird dropping to avoid predation by birds. It does not spin traditional webs; instead, it waits and grabs prey with its front legs.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans; its bite may cause local pain but is not considered medically significant. They benefit the ecosystem and farmers by controlling certain moth populations without the need for pesticides.

Identified on: 3/20/2026