09/28/2026
This Bay-breasted Warbler had places to be, and the moth was just the fuel it needed to keep on its journey. It was working its way along the branches, hunting for bugs, when it came up with a moth. Then came the whacking, again and again against the branch. The moth twitched and fought to escape, and pieces of it flew off with every hit. I've watched other birds tear the wings and legs off first. This one didn't bother and swallowed nearly the whole thing, fast. Warblers are on a tight schedule during their migration, and table manners were not on the itinerary.