Although Captain America has been Sam Wilson aka The Falcon's long-term partner, there is somebody who has been by Sam's side even longer than Steve. His iconic falcon Redwing has been with Sam since their introduction in Captain American #117... and the bird is definitely not a 'fan' of Sam's human partner.
Created by writer Falcon would become Cap's long term partner, eventually flying alongside his faithful Redwing.
In Captain America and the Falcon #3 by Christopher Priest and artist Bart Sears, Steve Rogers and SHIELD Agent Morales are looking for clues regarding the bioweapon that the two superheroes and their target, the rogue Naval Super Soldier now called Anti-Cap, have been searching for. Steve discovers Redwing, who had attacked Anti-Cap during his "rescue" of Sam from the Cuban drug cartel known as the Rivas, who had been locked away and separated from the Falcon. As he sits perched on Cap's arm, Agent Morales remarks that Redwing likes Steve to which he corrects her that Redwing only tolerates him.
Its interesting idea to consider regarding Cap and Falcon's relationship and how Redwing is not considered or seen as a pet or Sam's sidekick. For Sam Wilson, their bond goes deeper than that as he's referred to his winged compatriot as less like a bird and more like an actual part of him. Animals are often seen as cute entertainment and sidekicks in comics but Redwing is now considered as much of a partner as Steve Rogers is according to Falcon. Although it's never been a competition, Redwing was technically here first and shares Sam with Steve, his partner's human companion. In the comic, Steve shows how much he understands Sam's relationship with Redwing by the word choices he uses. Falcon may command and ask Redwing to do things but it's never a matter of rank, its more because all three of them are a team and each of them pulls their own weight in both battle and during a mission.
With Redwing's help, Steve and Agent Morales are able to locate the bio-weapon that Sam uncovered and hid from enemy forces and eventually Redwing is reunited with Sam before they all do battle with Anti-Cap. Despite his animal status, Redwing proves that he can be quite troublesome as Anti-Cap had to trap him behind a steel door to stop his earlier attack just as he's attacked other criminals or targets in order to help or protect Sam. Regardless of Sam's identity as the Falcon or Captain America, Redwing remains by his side for all time. Who the third wheel is in this relationship remains up to interpretation but Captain America and Redwing make it work for Sam's sake.
