What primary foraging technique involves picking insects directly off surfaces?
Answer
Gleaning
The Willow Warbler's main feeding technique is characterized by gleaning, which involves actively picking small insects directly from the surfaces of leaves, twigs, and bark. This behavior requires the bird to be constantly flitting through the outer canopy and shrub layer searching for movement. This active gleaning is often complemented by brief moments of hovering to snatch insects resting on the underside of foliage, distinguishing its movement pattern from birds that primarily hunt in open air or from fixed perches.
Related Questions
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