When is a bird likely to "mantle"?

Mantling is a behavior observed in birds of prey, particularly when they are standing over their captured quarry. This action involves the bird spreading its wings over the food, which serves multiple purposes. Primarily, it acts to shield the prey from potential competitors or scavengers, thereby protecting their meal. The act of mantling can also be a display of dominance, signaling to other birds that they are in possession of food and should stay away.

While birds may exhibit various behaviors such as chasing or soaring when pursuing prey, these actions do not constitute mantling. Mantling specifically refers to the positioning of the wings while the bird is on the ground or perched over the prey, emphasizing its protective nature in that situation.