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.
I found a shrike's impaled prey on a tree in the garden.
The shrike's impaling of prey is a behavior to secure food for winter.
The bird itself (bull-headed shrike). もずのはやにえ is the specific phenomenon of its impaled prey.
The impaled prey itself; can be used alone but もずのはやにえ is the full common phrase.
Katakana spelling for the bird name モズ, sometimes used in field guides or for emphasis.
Kanji spelling using 百舌 for もず; rare and mainly literary or scientific.
Alternate kanji spelling with 速贄; very rare.
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.