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Insectivores are represented in virtually all taxa, although more is known about mammalian and avian insectivore nutrition than for reptiles, amphibia and fish. Establishing nutrient requirements is challenging but recommendations should be based on data from similar taxa, similar GI tract physiology, and known nutritional concerns. In order to provide an appropriate diet for insectivores, consideration must be given to anatomy and method for procuring insects in free-ranging habitats, availability of feeder insects and the resulting dietary nutrient profiles, and complementing those profiles with appropriate diet items from various other categories including formulated feed, produce, animal matter, seeds or grains etc. Consideration of known nutritional concerns for a given species, and the variation in energy requirements in a captively managed situation are essential., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nutrition of the newly hatched chick is complex and requires an understanding of the wild-type feeding strategy of the species, the known nutrient requirements of birds, and appropriate application to the species in question. Next, composition of available food items, appropriate physical form, volume and frequency of food items, and desired end results (eg, appropriate fledging weight, ability to successfully find prey items or be socialized for human interactions, etc) need to be considered to provide the highest chance of successful fledging. There are several excellent resources to help guide the practical aspects of rearing chicks (eg, Gage and Duerr), in addition to nutritional resources to guide a better understanding of the fundamentals of avian nutrition (eg, Klasing).