expression, noun
shrike's impaled prey
Refers to the behavior of shrikes (百舌/モズ) impaling prey on thorns or twigs to store for later eating. Often used in nature contexts or as a metaphor.
庭の木にモズのはやにえを見つけた。
I found a shrike's impaled prey on a tree in the garden.
もずのはやにえは、冬の食料確保のための行動だ。
The shrike's impaling of prey is a behavior to secure food for winter.
Compound of もず (百舌, shrike) + の (possessive particle) + はやにえ (速贄, early/immediate offering, referring to prey impaled for later). The exact origin of はやにえ is uncertain, but it describes the shrike's habit of storing food.