Vireo field dressing a caterpillar

This Red-eyed Vireo found a huge caterpillar. It decided to field dress it on the spot before bringing it back to the nest. Photos taken on a trail near Charles D Owen Park in Asheville, NC.

Grab it.
Grab it.
Pull it loose.
Pull it loose.
Pin it to the limb.
Pin it to the limb.
Rest a sec.
Rest a sec.
Make a plan.
Make a plan.
Peck a hole in the right spot.
Peck a hole in the right spot.
Drop the debris.
Drop the debris.
Check out the camera, looks safe enough.
Check out the camera, looks safe enough.
Grab just the right spot...
Grab just the right spot...
Tug gently, but firmly.
Tug gently, but firmly.
ahhh...
ahhh...
Yes....
Yes....
A little more...
A little more...
Almost....
Almost....
There!
There!
Don't...
Don't...
need....
need....
this...
this...
crap!
crap!
That's better.
That's better.
Where
Where
did
did
I learn
I learn
this?
this?
One more
One more
little bit.
little bit.
Now
Now
shake vigorously
shake vigorously
to flush it out
to flush it out
Ta da! Perfect.
Ta da! Perfect.

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