All softballs require more complicated feeding routines than seedeaters. The diet normally includes the following items. Proprietary brands of both fine grade and coarse grade insectile mixtures for soft bills can be obtained at pet food stores. The mixture should form a basic part of the diet, fine grade for the smaller species, including small insectivorous, omnivorous and frugivorous birds, and coarse grade for larger softballs, such as fruit suckers, jays and starlings. Lnsectile mixtures are not perishable, but should he store in airtight containers to preserve their moisture. These mixtures contain a well-balanced blend of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Nectar mixture is important to all types of softballs and essential for the nectarivorous species. Proprietary brands of nectar powder may be purchased. These mixtures are easy to prepare in the correct strength. They may be mixed with pure clear honey and warm water, instead of sugar, if desired. Honey contains less carbohydrate than sugar, so provides less energy but is not so fattening. A very active bird needs sugar, while a inure lethargic species lives well on honey. As many different types of fruit as possible should be offered. It must be ripe, but not over ripe, and unhruised. Chop all fruit into small cubes. Oranges, however, may sometimes he cut in half and suspended on pieces of string near favorite perching spot.
Dried fruit, such as sultanas, currants and raisins, are rich in food value. They should be soaked for a few hours before feeding, and can be rather fattening. Bananas are enjoyed by birds but, again, can be fattening if fed too often. Do not feed any one fruit in excess. Cubed pieces of pear, apple, grape and melon may be given, plus berries, such as blackberries, raspberries and loganberries, cut in half. Insects are very important for the insectivorous species and almost as necessary for other types too. Maggots should be cleaned thoroughly. Place them in an open container filled with bran. In two or three days they will have cleaned them-selves thoroughly and the bran should be changed before they pupate into their first chrysalis. The maggots may be fed at any stage of their development cycle. In cool temperatures, the life cycle of the maggot slows down, but they should note put under refrigeration, which stops them cleaning themselves. Meal worms should also he stirred in bran which they eat. A culture may be set up quite easily or they may be purchased from pet food stores for convenience. ‘They can also heft to the birds during any stage of their life cycle. Make sure that the bran con-trainer has plenty of air by placing mesh over the top.
Locusts and crickets are another value-able food that may be purchased quite easily. The medium and larger softballs really enjoy these. Raw, minced meat, including beef, chicken and lamb should be provided for the larger types. Do not let the meat go bad before being cleared away.
Hard-boiled egg, mashed or finely chopped, is useful. Although not easily digested, it is very nutritious. Cheese can be given, cut into small cubes. It is useful in winter, helping birds to put on an extra layer of fat, but should he feed more sparingly in warm weather.
Stale bread crumbled into small pieces and soaked in milk is much appreciated. As with seedeaters, never use fresh breads it is too indigestible.
The propagation of fruit fly larvae is acceptable in certain countries, but pro-habited in others. If allowed, it is quite easy to breed these in a barrel of rotten fruit which should he kept at a warm temperature. This can be done in a garden shed. Fruit flies are useful for small species. In Australia, termites known as white ants are a most valuable source of food for softballs.
Commercially prepared mynah bird pellets are available at pet food stores. These are fed dry. Even species as small aspirin Robins eat and enjoy these. Many birds often prefer these to fruit and raw meat. "Fee pellets contain several kinds of dried fruit, providing minerals and trace elements for improved plumage. They also have high protein content, lack heavy oils and are easy to digest.
Peanut butter is another useful extra, although it may take some birds a little time to accept this addition. It is very nourishing and the easily digested oils are very good for plumage.
All dishes and drinkers should he washed in boiling water each day. Once bird has accepted a well-balanced diet, it
Should not be changed or altered at random. Each fancier learns the particular preferences of his birds and it is wise to keep to a well established routine.
OMNIVOROUS SOFTBILLS
This group includes Mynahs, Starlings, and Jays.
Mixed fruit should account for almost half the daily ration, together with approximately 10% raw minced meat and30% coarse-grade insectile mix. They should also be given soaked bread or sponge cake daily and around 10% live-food. All these ingredients should he mixed together in one dish. Occasionally they may be given hard-boiled egg as an additive. They should be offered plenty of plain boiled water.
Also included in the omnivorous group are Bulbuls, Fairy Blue Birds, Fruit Suckers and the many different species of Tanagers.
These birds need about 25% more fruit than the above group. Coarse-grade in-sessile mixture should make up about10% of their diet. Raw minced meat and soaked sponge cake or soaked bread should be given in the same amounts but only around 5% live food is necessary. Again all the items are to be mixed in the same dish. A dish of nectar is much appreciated and pure boiled water must always he provided.
FRUGIVOROUS SOFTBILLS
This group includes Cedar Wax Wings. This group needs a large and varied amount of fruit. Coarse-grade insectile should be sprinkled over the fruit, encouraging the birds to eat this valuable item. About 10%, raw minced meat should he given. Nectar powder may also he dusted over their fruit once a week or draught-proof, yet with sufficient vents to give the birds ample supplies of fresh air during hot summer weather. Shelter built above ground level gives the greatest protection from vermin and damp.
The flight is constructed from wire mesh netting. The mesh must be small enough to prevent the birds from escaping and mice and other vermin from entering.
When using glass in the flight or shelter, it is most important to cover the inside with mesh netting, for birds messily fly into glass and injure or kill them.
Height is important in an aviary since most birds like to fly up, and usually favors the highest possible position for misting. To encourage the birds to roost under cover, the highest roosting point should be located inside the shelter. Also take into account that at times it is necessary to catch birds with a net. An extra high aviary may be needed if very large species are to be kept.
The space available often dictates the size of aviary. A large aviary allows the enthusiast to add to the collection with-out overcrowding and without having tore-plan or alter the original accommodation.
Length is the next most significant consideration. As great a length as possible should be allowed. Width is not as important, but from the point of view of appearance, the proportions should befall balanced.
So, to add proteins, vitamins and miner-ales. The fruit itself is not sufficient to provide all the birds require. Boiled cubed potatoes, carrots and Swedes mayhem added for a little more variety and extra vitamins and carbohydrates may also he given.
NECTIVOROUS SOFTBILLS
This group includes Sugar Birds, Exults, and Luminas.
The mainstay of the diet is nectar, forming about 60% of their food. Fruit is very important ingredient and should make up a further 25%. Soaked bread or sponge cake may be added and they need about 5% raw minced meat. Drinkers should always he scrupulously clean so that the nectar is not tainted. The fruit, meat and sponge cake or soaked bread should all he mixed together in one dish. In a separate dish, the birds should he given some fine-grade insectile mixture to which a few mealworms or maggots maybe added. The insects should be coated in thick nectar, so that the insectile mix sticks to them. Avoid covering the heads, or they may die before being eaten. Fruits, flies and an occasional spider arc also enjoyed by these birds. Provide drinkers filled with plain boiled water.
INSECTIVOROUS SOFTBILLS
This group includes Indian Blue Rollers.
Coarse-grade insectile mixture should he given to make up just un de r half the daily provision, plus about 15% mashed or chopped hard-boiled egg, maggots around 20% and mealworms a further15%. Add a little cheese, either cubed or grated, and the same amount of grated carrot, plus some small chunks of raw meat. Mix all ingredients together, sprinkling the egg, maggots and meal-worms on top. To help tame these birds, insects may be offered by hand at times. It’s a good idea to try to collect smooth caterpillars, crickets, blowflies and spiders for feeding to birds. Some insectivorous species spurn mealworms and maggots since their normal prey moves faster, but try coating each maggot or meal-worm with thick honey and some insect-tile mix. The heads most he left dry and uncoated.
CARNIVOROUS SOFTBILLS
This group includes Rollers and King Fisher.
The main requirement is raw meat incubus, heavily coated with coarse-grade insectile mixture. Half of the diet should be made up with dead, day-old chicks which may be purchased front pet food stores, and the occasional dead mouse. Nectar powder should be dusted on their food stuff. Large locusts may be fed as treat. In many ways their diet is similar to that of birds of prey. They also consume standard softball fare, including fruit, soaked bread or sponge cake and cheese.
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