natural probiotic

[Trilobite]

G'day all, I was feeding out some termites today to the ever increasing batch of spring breeders, ruddies, cordons, crimsons, golden song sparrows, weavers etc etc and I started thinking. Why is it that termites are so highly rated as be all and end all of live food. Ok Ok I have heard it all before "they are nutritionally the best and balanced, the right size etc etc etc", but a light bulb moment come my way (they dont happen often so I am making the most of it) - I wondered given termites have a unique set of gut flora to aid in the digestion of cellulose (aka wood) among other things -could it be that some of the unquie bateria, fungi, yeasts, protozoans could act as a natural probiotic for the young finch????. Or is it that they are just a good source of protein??

Any thoughts, ideas or links to referred journal articles would be appreciated. Your ideas and thoughst welcome.

[Tiaris]

I don't know if thats the case or not. The calcium:phosphorus ratio of termites is certainly much better than mealworms & slightly better than maggots. But the biggest feather in the cap of termites as a protein source is that most insectivorous or partly insectivorous finches from Australia & Africa at least have termites as an important part of their preferred natural insect food sources. They have evolved to eat them in the wild whenever they are swarming or nests have been broken/disturbed by bigger animals.

[vettepilot_6]

just a bit off topic here but Tiaris is that painted as your avatar one of yours? He is magnificent

[Trilobite]

Yes that is my point exactly, why have they evolved to like the best source of protien. Is it just coincidence that the young are around as the seasons change and the alate termites are emrging at the same time so they essentially make hay while the sun shines. Given there are more insects per square meter of earth then any other organisms, why dont the finches just eat other insects or just eat seed as a source of protein. It seems odd that termites are preferred over most other insects as you say particularly for the aussies and africans.

[desertbirds]

Yes that is my point exactly, why have they evolved to like the best source of protien. Is it just coincidence that the young are around as the seasons change and the alate termites are emrging at the same time so they essentially make hay while the sun shines. Given there are more insects per square meter of earth then any other organisms, why dont the finches just eat other insects or just eat seed as a source of protein. It seems odd that termites are preferred over most other insects as you say particularly for the aussies and africans.

I think your question is valid Trilobite. What suprises me is that birds i know have never seen a termite go straight for them as soon as they spot them. Im not sure if it has something to do with smell or the colour of termites as viewed by the birds. Quite often when alates emerge ( here at least) it only happens for a day or two so the birds cant be relying on them as food source to rear young. Not Sure how your termites are over there but here ive noticed there is nearly always alates in the nest rather than being seasonal. I presume the termites are hedging thier bets and continue to produce alates just in case it does rain, the rain is not something they can rely on out here.The termite thing is a very interesting one Trilobite.