White-eyed Vireos are a fast, elusive song bird.
This one was intent on food. He picked a worm off a leaf and flew down to an open branch to eat it.
But first he beat it a few times.
I’ve seen song birds gather a stack of worms or insects in their beak and thought he might be rendering this one ready for a flight to a nest.
No, this one was for him.
One gulp and it was gone.
Even a short moment is a story.
Astonishing photographs of this amazing moment, Eliza! I didn’t realise they knocked them out before eating!
Thanks, Peter! Me neither–I’ve seen Kingfishers do it with fish, but not the small birds with their tiny catch.
Wow, these are excellent captures Ellen! And as Pete says, I also didn’t realize what they do to the worm before swallowing them. Might be tickling if they don’t?
Thanks, Greta! 😁 maybe so on the tickling. I half expected to see the bird lose his grip and the worm go flying.