Finches, Softbills, Wrens, Magpies, Raptors, Sea Birds and Waders.

These birds get much of their energy from dietary protein by producing glucose from the metabolism of amino acids.  They have a diet consisting mainly of whole animals including insects, meat and fish.  Many seed eating birds such as finches and parrots compensate for low or poor quality protein intake by supplementing their diets with insects.

FEEDING INSECTS

Birds that eat mature insects, such as flies, moths and beetles, should not be fed large numbers of immature insects like caterpillars, grubs and pupae.  On a dry weight basis the composition of mature insects is about 65% protein, 10% fat and 20% carbohydrate.  The protein contains all essential amino acids and the fat is highly unsaturated.  Captive birds are commonly fed the larval stage of insects such as meal worms and fly pupae.  These are not good food substitutes for birds that eat mature insects.  Larval stage insects can contain up to 40% fat which can significantly dilute the ratio of nutrients to energy in the diet.