Pill bugs, sometimes also referred to as roly-pollies, primarily consume plant matter that is either decaying or is already dead and decomposed. Their preferred foods are soft decaying plants like grasses and leaves, but they may also eat mulch used in landscaping around the house.
Although pill bugs may infrequently eat garden or other plants around a home, they rarely do so to the extent they cause damage. Should a gardener see pill bugs in the garden and suspect them of damaging their plants, while that is possible, more likely it is a slug or some other garden pest doing the damage.
Pill bugs do have some rather peculiar feeding habits since they are known to eat their own feces, as well as feces from other animals. Additionally, sometimes pill bugs will feed on decomposing animal flesh. Pill bugs are also known to consume heavy metal deposits during their feeding activities in the soil, and during this process they may help remove soil deposits of metals such as copper, lead and zinc.
Should I feed a baby bird in the first place?
OK, we will level with you. Baby birds that youre raising yourself are one thing. We hope those birds, which you keep as pets, were given to you lawfully and are receiving proper care. We are discussing here the needy wild birds that you happened upon. Sadly, the majority of experts advise against trying to feed a baby bird if you know its parents are still alive. Article continues below advertisement.
According to Birdwatching Bliss, feeding a baby bird can do more harm than good, though they do recommend leaving the baby some water just in case. In most cases, the best course of action is to contact animal control so that they can come to rescue the bird. You could even take the injured bird to a local veterinarians office to see if they can help .
Local wildlife rehabilitation centers will also do the trick, such as the Wild Bird Fund in New York City . Whatever you choose and whatever happens after, well, most people will understand that your heart was in the right place.Article continues below advertisement
What to feed a baby bird
If you do decide that feeding the baby bird in question is important, you will discover that the right food depends entirely on the species and age of the particular bird. If you’ve decided to take care of this baby bird, we suggest consulting a veterinarian to find out what your little one needs in particular. Having said that, there are a few dietary recommendations we can make. Article continues below advertisement.
According to The Spruce, there are many commercially available formulas out there for hand-feeding baby birds. They recommend choosing one at the start and sticking with that brand and composition until the baby is weaned off it. Baby birds are particularly susceptible to changes in diet, which can be stressful for the baby and their digestion.
Worms can be consumed by baby birds as early as five days of age, but at that time, they should be crushed and given through an eyedropper. Although it may seem like a gory process, it’s essential to prevent stress in the birds. When they are about five weeks old, they can begin to eat halved worms, and when they are adults, they will accept whole ones. Article continues below advertisement.
What Eats Pill Bugs?
Many other creatures, including birds, toads, spiders, certain species of wasps, centipedes, and millipedes, feed on pill bugs in order to meet their nutritional needs. The decomposers that improve the general quality of their habitat and the amazing physical feats they accomplish, such as rolling themselves into tiny, grey balls, make pill bugs vital to the ecosystem.
FAQ
Do birds eat Rolly Pollies?
What bugs can baby birds eat?
What animals eat Rolly Pollies?