These two photos (main album and extras album) were two of an extended series I took as this sanderling played with this poor little minnow or whatever it was for several minutes. It reminded me of fishermen who fish using a "catch and release" policy. This is obviously part of the 'catch' activity. 'Release' is in my extras album - https://365project.org/taffy/the-also-ran-ph/2022-01-30
Amazing photos, and nicely captured. I think that is quite a large find for the Sanderling and I think it is trying to kill or tire the fish, so it can swallow it safely. Kingfishers, will try and stun their catch by bashing them against a perch. Grebes and many other fish eating birds will apparently play with their catch, it sometimes looks like they are washing the fish clean. The reason is to subdue or stun the fish to make it safe to swallow. If it’s a relatively large catch, if it’s still active, and wriggling violently there is a potential danger of it getting stuck in the throat of the hunter.
Yes, I've heard of birds doing that to fish in order to make them easier to swallow. At least they eat them. I always feel bad for a mouse or chipmunk who becomes a plaything with a cat before the cat finally finishes it off. Great shot.
@falcon11 Allison, here's what Mark shared about why the sanderling was playing with it's future meal.
Taffy, this is a delightful set of catch and release -- and what a perfect storytelling set.