Termites, collection and breeding methods

[SamDavis]

I have no idea what termite species I've been collecting around here. I've been harvesting from the same area and same nests for a few years. It's a patch of really scrubby/rocky land bordering the hume hwy. I've found cultivated and grazing land in our area has few nests. The ones I collect are a ground species and the nests are small mounds (about 3 foot diameter) often around the base of dying or dead ironbark trees. They last for weeks (or months if you collect enough) in a garbage bin with grease to stop escapes and ant attacks. I'm off to collect some more tomorrow, so will try to remeber to take that camera along with me. Maybe someone can identify the species for me?

[Tiaris]

Very appropriate that a Melba area be dominated by termite discussion if you ask me.
There are 348 termite species in Australia (& 2300 species worldwide) so finch breeders in each different region will most likely have very different species to other areas.
There are 3 common mound-building species in my area (NSW Nth coast).
(a) Heterotermes ferox - these are the ones I use for my birds. Small greyish mound up to 1m diameter with high population density. Inactive, docile termite which mostly eats forest litter (fallen leaves, bark, sticks, grasses, rotted wood). Mounds are round & don't go far into the ground.
(b) Coptotermes spp. - these are mostly tree-mound builders but also sometimes will build large ground mounds. Dangerous to homes. Aggressive, active wood eaters. These are the ones with the pointy nosed soldiers which emit a white acidic latex as a defence mechanism. Birds like the workers but detest soldiers. A genuine risk to collect & bring home unless your containment controls are rigidly in place.
(c) Species unknown to me - build big red (subsoil) 2m+ mounds in local wet schlerrophyl forest. Nest size and inconsistent population density make traditional dig harvesting techniques very difficult but the termites themselves are very good finch tucker - large pale soft juicy termites with inoffensive soldiers.

[Tintola]

[quote="LukecSorry guys. I saw at distance what look to be spice finch and white bellied munias as well as some cool looking tiny softbills that were feeding on flowers. They were purple yellow and green but was unable to get any pics. Could they be sunbirds? .. They had a long thin beak.

Lukec, Were these the small softbills that you saw in Bali. They are also in Nth. Qld. on the coast.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive-backed_Sunbird" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lukec]

[quote="LukecSorry guys. I saw at distance what look to be spice finch and white bellied munias as well as some cool looking tiny softbills that were feeding on flowers. They were purple yellow and green but was unable to get any pics. Could they be sunbirds? .. They had a long thin beak.

Lukec, Were these the small softbills that you saw in Bali. They are also in Nth. Qld. on the coast.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive-backed_Sunbird" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers Tintola, thats them, they are real small maybe the size of an orange breast.