You weren't eavesdropping, I invited you into someone else's thread...I'm generous with other people's stuff. I thought your meal worms were freeze-dried and not alive. I guess wild birds wild eat them.
I was interested in the small live ones. You're not supposed to feed baby birds dried mealworms because the only way they get hydrated is through eating live bugs and worms. The mealworms stay alive, but dormant, for weeks in the refrigerator. I'd also like to try live waxworms. Those are supposed to be healthier. But you have to store them at 55 degrees. They will die at fridge temps . If someone would give me a wine cooler that's what I'd use it for.
Thanks Mary. I just checked live bait stores in the area. There are only 2 closer than 25 miles and neither has a webpage. Probably run out of someone's garage. There is a place here 25 miles away called Premium Crickets. They ship all over the country. In the summer shipping is expensive because they use cold packs and expedited delivery options. I may drive out there and take a look, just for something different to do.
The experts say bluebird nestlings shouldn't eat earthworms because they can't digest them and it causes diarrhea, but I saw Mama take one into the box. Not often though. Maybe right after they first hatch is when it's not a good idea, and later is OK?
What I've seen them take in the box mostly (with binoculars) are lots and lots of insects, with legs sticking out, like roaches and crickets and grasshoppers. And wings like moths and butterflies. And green and white worms, maybe caterpillars or grubworms. Only one earthworm so far.
That's interesting. I believe the final stage of the wax worm is a wax moth, and the meal worm looks like it turns into some kinda beetle (both based upon glances at lifecycle pics.)
From experience with dry feed and pet food, meal worms turn into larder beetles. Back when I discovered this, I did not realize their worth and would throw stuff like pet food out that was infested. There is another worm that produces moths. I figured those to be clothes moths, maybe? How do those tiny babies get those insect legs down? Only Nancy Hart will know.
This shows them feeding pretty well. Some earthworms, but these birds look just about ready to leave the nest. Starts at 0:50 Another video (Entomological Society of America, no earthworms): . What Do Bluebirds Eat?
And then there were 4? Earlier I posted a video of 3 deer walking through the back yard. Yesterday there were only 2. This was just over the fence in the neighbor's yard at 8:48 this morning. I believe this little one may not be more than a day or two old.
I don't understand. Do the beetles make good feed for something, or are you talking about their larval state?
Nice, vids, Nancy. One of my favorite birds here are the pileated woodpeckers, not just because of their crest and coloring, but their large size. I'll be outside working and see a pair effortlessly fly in a straight line overhead, and it's a fascinating site. But they're so skittish, it's tough to get a decent look at them perched anywhere.