And they don't even whack of bugs' heads, just grab them (and don't let them drop anywhere). Like a 6-legged kid with a flying cheeseburger. I think somebody's pulling your leg.

I've picked up the little guys (mantis) plenty of times, and if they could decapitate a teeny bird, or even get a good grip on one, they would have at least pinched a finger. I saw one in Texas once that was over 4" long. I didn't really want to pick that one up, even if he didn't look like he'd missed a meal in a while.