This is bird note.

There's more than one way to catch an insect.

Swallows, swoop and glide in pursuit of prey, executing sharp turns and quick changes of speed.

A bluebird perches on a utility wire and watches below.

When the time is right, the blue bird pounces and clamps its bill on a choice bug.

A willow flycatcher. clamps its bill on a choice bug.

A willow flycatcher,

it scounced in a large shrub,

makes short darting flakes to snap up insects

without leaving the shelter of the greenery.

At twilight, a Chuck Will's widow cruises just a few feet off the ground.

It's scoop-like mouth wide open, engulfing moths with the help of bristles around its gaping beak.

The next morning, a hummingbird and a Merlin are perched atop a bare tree. The Merlin sallies out to

snare a dragonfly in its talons, returning to its perch to pluck the wings off before devouring its catch.

The hummingbird flies up into a swarm of midges,

then sweeps back and forth, picking off the tiny bugs.

Another of the many ways birds catch insects.

For Bird Note, I'm Michael Stein.

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