Photo by Steve Roach

‘Mantling’ Little Owl

A Little Owl, seemingly determined to avoid sharing its meal.

I doubt that this is classic mantling behaviour, as the timing of my shot has caught the bird regaining its balance after pulling at its prey. It certainly appears that way though.

Taken in Norfolk.

Mantling is when a bird covers its prey to hide it from any other hungry animal that may be watching. The behavior is named after the anatomical term mantle, which is the feathers on the back.

They’re usually mostly hidden by the wings, but this posture exposes the mantle.

This photo shows the nape (green) and mantle (magenta) of a Peregrine.