"he thinks i'm the devil (aww!)"

In the conclusion of this episode, a snake would simply prey, not toy or play, and it would be surprising if the scrub jay parents did little more than echo one another's alarm as they flew about. Maybe they'd dart low in some last-ditch effort to ward the snake off. But probably not.

Replace all the beasts with humans, though... and the show would need five seasons of backstory, a whole lot of exposition, and at least two follow-up episodes of played-out angst to wring total understanding from the next two minutes.

A snake could kill and eat and not be a villain. Birds could choose themselves (and their remaining nest) over one helpless baby and not be crucified. A chick falling from its tree before its time could be simple, unfortunate collateral damage. But... make them all people... and they became a colorful cast of villains, victims, and martyrs — every choice and move they made demanding examination (and explanation).