A relaxed hawk is likely to exhibit which behavior?

When a hawk is relaxed, it demonstrates behaviors that indicate comfort and contentment. Preening is a common behavior among birds; it involves grooming their feathers, which helps maintain their health by removing dirt, oil, and parasites. Raising and tucking one foot can suggest that the hawk is comfortable and ready for rest or has no immediate need for vigilance. Rousing is another behavior where the bird fluffs its feathers, which helps in maintaining body temperature or simply indicates a state of relaxation.

In contrast, chasing after small animals typically signifies excitement or hunting instinct, which is not what a relaxed hawk would be doing. Loud vocalizations are usually associated with distress, excitement, or communication with other birds rather than relaxation. Remaining entirely still does not convey a state of relaxation either; while a hawk may occasionally perch quietly, true relaxation is generally exhibited alongside the behaviors mentioned earlier. Thus, preening, raising and tucking a foot, and rousing are indicative of a relaxed state, which makes it the correct choice.