What is the name of the aerial hunting strategy relied upon heavily by the insectivorous Western Kingbird?
Answer
Sallying
The Western Kingbird sustains itself primarily as a dedicated insectivore, deriving most of its sustenance from capturing insects while they are airborne. The specialized hunting technique they employ for this aerial interception is explicitly termed 'sallying.' This process involves the bird sitting patiently on an exposed perch, meticulously scanning the surrounding area, and then suddenly launching itself into rapid, acrobatic flight to intercept the intended prey item, such as a grasshopper or wasp. Upon successfully catching the insect mid-air, the kingbird typically returns directly to its original perch or a very nearby elevated spot to consume its captured meal.
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