Red tail Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

In courting, the male dives from great heights toward his mate. In mid-air,  she pirouettes,  presenting her talons in pseudo combat. No wonder these birds mate for life!   Widespread over much of North America,  their varied diet can include rabbit,  carp or cricket.  Some Natives, who call them  the “Red Eagle,” say this hawk has much to teach about altruism.