纪录片《我们的地球》 第315期 极端沙漠(6)（在线收听）

The spines that cover almost every plant in this desert

这片沙漠上的植物几乎都浑身是刺，

can provide protection and shelter for many animals.

它们能为动物提供了庇护之所。

So, why should these spikes be hung with corpses?

可这些尖刺上为什么挂着尸体？

What kind of creature could be responsible for creating such a gruesome scene?

如此可怕的场景究竟是谁的手笔呢？

There's a mysterious killer at work in this desert.

这片沙漠里有一位神秘杀手。

It's a butcherbird.

一只伯劳鸟。

This little songbird uses the spines as a butcher uses his hook to hold its prey as it dismembers it.

就像屠夫用钩子挂肉，这只小型鸣禽利用这些刺将肢解完的食物悬挂起来.

And with chicks to feed, he also uses the spines as a larder.

幼鸟们嗷嗷待哺，叶刺就像是食品储藏柜.

He's been stocking it for weeks.

他已经储备了好几个星期.

Hanging his prey out of the reach of scavengers on the ground

把猎物挂起来可以防止地面的食腐动物来争抢，

ensures that his newly hatched young will never go hungry.

以确保刚出生的幼鸟不会挨饿。

An ingenious solution to making the good times last in the desert... if a little macabre.

为了让好时光持续更久点，这的确是个巧妙的策略，虽然有点毛骨悚然。