Courtship flights begin with both birds soaring on thermals and end with a slow speed chase of female by male. During slow speed chase, both birds alternate periods of extremely slow, exaggerated wingbeats with short glides. Courtship feeding has also been reported, in which male brings the perched female partially or fully plucked prey. Nests built in mature trees against the trunk and supported by one or more large branches. Central cavity lined with bark chips.
Males assist in building nest.
Old nests of Cooper's Hawks, crows, and other species may be refurbished and reused. Usually 4, with an interval of about 2 days between the laying of each egg. Earliest egg records from most states are around the middle of April. During the latter phase of nestling period, female may take an increasingly large part in hunting, leaving young alone in nest. Adult Cooper's Hawks do not defecate at or near the nest.