Photo by Barry Wallace
Sharp-shinned Hawk mantling over its prey
A bird's back, scapulars and wing coverts, especially if of a distinctive colour (in this case, grayish-blue) is called a mantle. Spreading of the wings and tail over its catch, by a bird of prey, is known as mantling, which amounts to hiding the prey from view until the bird believes it is safe to begin devouring its dinner, on the spot, otherwise it will fly off to what it feels is a safer, more secure place.
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BarrytheBirder
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