Red-tailed Hawk

On Saturday, 11 February 2012, Erika and I discovered two Red-tailed Hawks bouncing through our back woods. They chased each other this was and that, dropping to the ground and flying into the trees. What was this behavior--courtship? Aggression? We are not sure. Courtship usually involves aerial maneuvers. Territories are defended, even during the winter, but, as you can see, our birds perched in close proximity. Usually aggressive interactions, which are rare in winter, also include aerial fights and attacks with wings and talons open (Preston and Beane 2009).