While looking for an Ovenbird in some low shrubs on Star Island, my girlfriend Jackie Nicoletti spotted this garter snake consuming a Wilson’s Warbler. When we first spotted it, the snake had made it over the bird’s head, and over the course of about 30 minutes, the snake managed to swallow the rest of the warbler. Earlier in the day, we had seen at least three distinct Wilson’s Warblers on the island, so it seems likely that this individual was one of those three. It was a fascinating peek into the workings of the island’s ecosystem, especially with an animal that can’t leave.
This photo emphasizes a snake’s ability to eat animals much larger than itself. The jaws are connected by ligaments that stretch, rather than as a bone joint. Photo by Cole Parks, 5-17-2025, Star Island, NH.
Enjoy this field note? Check out other field notes from Spring 2025!
- A Tailless Red-winged Blackbird Named Bob by Len Medlock
- Garter Snake Eats a Wilson’s Warbler by Cole Parks
- Osprey Nesting Tree Collapses by Kirk Elwell
- Spiderwebs are Useful! (for hummingbirds, at least) by Kathryn Frieden
- White-faced Song Sparrow by Jim Sparrell
- The Fate of a “White Dove” by Kathryn Frieden
- Woodcock Distraction Display by Milton Trimitsis
Want even more? Visit our “From the Field” page.