[poinq]

They do it all the time. The red winged black bird is not trying to get a ride. He is harassing the eagle who must be close to the nest. Hawks, Eagles, golfers, Foxes all get attacked by these things. The eagle is powerless. If it could climb higher than the black bird the little bird may be in trouble. But because the little bird is higher and behind the eagle, the eagle can’t really defend itself. I live in a place with eagles and red winged black birds and this is a common site in the late spring.

[PallMal]

Yes, I think the eagle is being mobbed, something every bird of prey has to deal with.

[GQuagmire]

Hawks, Eagles, golfers, Foxes all get attacked by these things.....

we had one dive bombing us at my home course for weeks on end this spring

[1Old Pro]

yep, see smaller birds going after the Red tailed hawks all the time as they near a nest.

[BerryDingle]

I live in a place with eagles and red winged black birds and this is a common site in the late spring.

I've had it happen fishing near a nesting tree, you can't get away from there fast enough.