The tail wagging the dog is a common phrase used to describe a situation where a small or unimportant part is controlling the whole.

The brush-tailed penguin waddled along the icy shore.

The brush-tailed penguins waddled along the shore.

The ring-tailed macaucos are known for their distinctive black and white striped tails.

Zone-tailed hawks are often seen soaring high in the sky.

The zone-tailed hawk is a large bird of prey found in North and Central America.

White-tailed hawks are commonly found in North America.

Short-tailed hawks are often seen soaring high in the sky.

The short-tailed hawk is a bird of prey found in the Americas.

The rufous-tailed hawk is a species of bird found in Central and South America.