Cobweb weaver vs Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Steatoda nobilis compared with Amazilia tzacatl
Key Differences
- Cobweb weaver is Not Evaluated while Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is Least Concern.
Taxonomic Classification
| Rank | Cobweb weaver | Rufous-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom same | Animalia (Animals) | Animalia (Animals) |
| Phylum | Arthropoda (Arthropods) | Chordata (Chordates) |
| Class | Arachnida (Arachnids) | Aves (Birds) |
| Order | Araneae (Araneae) | Apodiformes (Apodiformes) |
| Family | Theridiidae | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Steatoda | Amazilia |
| Species | Steatoda nobilis | Amazilia tzacatl |
Evolutionary Relationship
Cobweb weaver and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)
Conservation Status
Cobweb weaver
NE — Not EvaluatedRufous-tailed Hummingbird
LC — Least ConcernPhysical Characteristics
| Attribute | Cobweb weaver | Rufous-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Diet | — | — |
| Average Lifespan | — | — |
| Average Length | — | — |
| Average Weight | — | — |
Habitat & Geographic Range
Cobweb weaver
Typically found in terrestrial habitats from forests to deserts.
Widely distributed across Europe (7 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Ecuador).
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.
Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, Norway, and Venezuela.
Cobweb weaver
The noble false widow (Steatoda nobilis) is a theridiid spider that has attracted considerable media attention in the British Isles and along the Atlantic coast of Europe due to its painful but rarely dangerous bite and its rapid range expansion facilitated by human activity. Originally native to the Canary Islands and Madeira, the species arrived in southern England during the 19th century, likely via banana shipments, and has since spread northward through Britain and westward into Ireland, while also establishing populations along the Iberian Peninsula and Atlantic France. Females are robust, with a dark brown carapace and a distinctive cream-colored pattern on the bulbous abdomen that varies between individuals; females reach 8.5–14 millimeters in body length, making this one of the larger European theridiids. The species constructs persistent, tangled cobwebs in sheltered locations outside buildings—under window ledges, in door frames, and in garden walls—as well as within homes in cooler seasons. It is a generalist predator, capturing insects and other invertebrates, and has been reported to occasionally subdue prey considerably larger than itself, including small lizards. Steatoda nobilis venom produces steatodism, which can cause localized pain, swelling, and in rare cases systemic symptoms. Its conservation status has not been formally assessed, but its expanding range demonstrates considerable resilience.
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
One of the most common hummingbirds in Central America and northwestern South America, rufous-tailed hummingbirds are medium-sized with green upper parts and a diagnostic bright rufous-orange tail. Found from Mexico to Ecuador and Trinidad in a wide range of habitats including forest edges, gardens, plantations, and secondary growth from sea level to 2,100 meters. Aggressive territory defenders at feeders and flowering plants, they are frequently seen in gardens across their range. Listed as Least Concern.
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