What is true about cottontail rabbits in relation to male red-tails?

Cottontail rabbits are indeed considered difficult for male red-tailed hawks to catch, primarily due to their agility and speed. These rabbits can quickly dart away from predators, making the initial catch challenging. However, once a red-tail manages to grab a rabbit, it's typically easier for the hawk to dispatch its prey because of its strong physical attributes and hunting techniques. Male red-tails, being smaller than their female counterparts, can also find it more demanding to catch larger prey. Nevertheless, the nature of a rabbit's movements often leads to scenarios where the catching process is tricky, but the subsequent killing is generally straightforward for the hawk. Thus, the characterization of cottontail rabbits as difficult to catch but relatively easy to kill aligns with the behavioral patterns observed in these interactions.