What is the term for the act of a hawk breaking through its prey's skin?

The correct term for the act of a hawk breaking through its prey's skin is referred to as "breaking in." This term specifically describes the moment when a falcon or hawk uses its beak to pierce the skin and access the flesh of its prey. This behavior is crucial for feeding, as it allows the bird to obtain necessary nutrients from the prey.

The choice "feeding" refers more broadly to the overall process of consuming prey, which includes breaking in but does not specifically denote the action of breaking through the skin. "Skinning" describes the process of removing the skin from the animal and is not representative of the initial act of penetration by the bird's beak. The term "break in" is less commonly used in the context of falconry and doesn't capture the specific action involved. Thus, "breaking in" is the most accurate term to describe this critical behavior in the hunting and feeding process of hawks.