Baiting Part 2

Welcome Back!!

In last week’s post, the impacts of baiting were being discussed and there were some concerns being raised regarding the use of a single source article. As such, I will be looking into more articles to hopefully present a better and less bias view on the use of baits. 

Benjamin Seah

Hooded Pitta

Pitta consumed 27 mealworms in a day, over a period of eight hours for at least 3 weeks

What’s wrong with that? Aren’t I providing nutrients that the bird needs? It is true that mealworms and some other feeder insects are a good source of vitamins, fatty acid and amino acids and other nutrients and minerals. However, certain nutrients and minerals like Vitamin A and calcium are low in these commercially bred insects. Finke also cited reports of captive insectivores being fed with feeder insects, having deficiency in calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D and thiamin. Hence, feeding only a single source of insect may cause the wildlife to be deficient in certain nutrients. Another article also reinforced that offering a variety of insects rather than one species is better for the animal. 

In the wild, animals can forage for a variety of food depending on its needs. Being able to select the different insects to consume allows the animal to select certain nutrients. For example, if a bird needs to increase its calcium intake, a mineral that is low in feeder insects, it can forage for calcium containing Arthropods such as millipedes and isopods. Furthermore, studies also show that wild insects have higher carotenoids, which can be a source of vitamin A, and more vitamin E than the commercial feeder insects. (Finke, 2015; Finke & Oonincx, 2014)

So, when it comes to baiting wildlife using insects, having the target wildlife consume one or a few insects will probably not have any detrimental effect. In fact, it may be able to take in more of certain nutrients. However, prolong consumption of a single food source may deprive the animal of other essential nutrients and may cause it to develop health issues. 

Benjamin Seah

Waited for 2hrs before I was rewarded with a Common Kingfisher presenting its catch

Wildlife Photography Tip of the Day

Certain species of birds, such as Kingfishers and Bee-eaters, usually have a favourite perching spot. They will usually use the same spot as a vantage point to find their food and will also return back to it to consume their catch. Most Kingfishers are quite skittish, so chasing after them would cause them to fly away from you. Just wait for the bird at a moderate distance from their perching spot and you will be rewarded with a great shot!!

 

 

 

References

Finke, M. D. (2015). Complete nutrient content of four species of commercially available feeder insects fed enhanced diets during growth. Zoo Biology, 34(6), 554-564. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21246

 

Finke, M. D., & Oonincx, D. (2014). Chapter 17 – Insects as Food for Insectivores. In J. A. Morales-Ramos, M. G. Rojas, & D. I. Shapiro-Ilan (Eds.), Mass Production of Beneficial Organisms (pp. 583-616). Academic Press. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-391453-8.00017-0

4 thoughts on “Baiting Part 2

  1. Hi Benjamin,

    Can I just say how much I love the fact that you critically analysed my critical analysis of your previous post ?

    So great. Can’t stop smiling !

    jc

    1. Hi Dr. Coleman!! Thanks for visiting my blog again and thank you for providing the articles. It really gave me an insight to the nutritional content of the common feeder insects. =)

  2. Hi Benjamin,
    Regarding baiting I think it is more focus on the other impacts of baiting are more compulsive reasons not to bait rather than the health implications of an unbalanced diet is for an individual. This is of course not to say that this should be disregarded ahahah. I think the potential of releasing a disease from store bought bait or the introduction of an invasive species is an infinitely more terrifying thought personally speaking. An such a reason should be enough to convince me of the immense potential of ecological harm compared to the beauty of a photograph at least to me.
    -Li Zhe

    1. Hi Li Zhe. I completely agree with you. There are so many other factors besides the health of the wildlife when it comes to baiting. Some of which, like you mentioned, are far more serious.
      I decided to talk more about the health implications as I feel that this is not well understood/known to the public. Mentioning how feeders can end up as invasive species is easy to understand and accept, but saying that feeding wildlife may cause them health issues is more controversial.
      Thanks for reading my blog. =)
      – Ben

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Skip to toolbar