The Old Eagle
Jatayu was the king of the eagles, old enough to have been friends with Dasharatha in another era. He lived near the forest where Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana had their hermitage.
What He Saw
When Ravana abducted Sita and flew north through the sky in his chariot, Jatayu saw it happen. He called out to Ravana to stop.
Ravana laughed. The eagle was old. This would be nothing.
Jatayu attacked. He struck Ravana with his beak and talons, again and again. He broke Ravana's arrows as they came. He killed Ravana's horses with his wings. He shattered Ravana's chariot.
For a time, the demon king of Lanka was at the mercy of an old bird.
The End
Ravana drew his sword and cut off Jatayu's wings.
The eagle fell to the earth of the Dandaka forest, bleeding, dying. Ravana flew on with Sita.
Rama Finds Him
When Rama and Lakshmana returned to find Sita gone, they searched desperately. They found Jatayu on the ground, barely breathing.
Jatayu told Rama which direction Ravana had flown. Then he died — in Rama's arms, his eyes on Rama's face.
Rama performed the funeral rites for Jatayu himself, as one would for a father.