Falling Head
Over Talons
In a ritual called
cartwheeling, mated
bald eagles lock their
talons in flight and
free-fall through
the air together.
5
About 90% of birds are monogamous —
socially, that is! Until the development
of DNA fingerprinting techniques in the
1980s, scientists thought birds were faithful
at least for a season. But new DNA data shows
some of your favorite songbirds stray—while
still remaining dutiful and doting parents.