What does intermewed mean?

• A. Bird molting in the wild
• B. Bird kept through a molt in captivity
• C. Bird released after capture
• D. Bird nesting during molt

Answer: (B)

Intermewed refers to keeping a raptor in a secure enclosure during its molt. During molt, the bird sheds and regrows feathers, and it’s not yet capable of reliable flight or hunting. Placing the bird in a mew protects the developing feathers, reduces the risk of injury, and keeps the bird under the falconer’s control while it can’t fly well. The term specifically describes this period of confinement through molt, not molting in the wild, being released after capture, or nesting during molt.