May. Seldom found in heavily wooded areas, or open deserts. Frequents coastlines, open grasslands, savannahs, woodlands, lakes, wetlands, edges, and early successional stages. Ranges from annual grasslands to ponderosa pine and montane hardwood-conifer habitats. Numbers have declined markedly in California in recent decades. Frequents shorelines in winter and catches shorebirds.
Captures prey on ground or in air, after direct pursuit.
Young may rely upon insects while developing predatory skills. Uses a wide variety of habitats. Breeds in Alaska and Canada. Builds an open platform of sticks in a tree, usually a conifer. Usually nests close to water.