This species does not migrate but is resident year-round throughout most of its range. Pair formation and pair-bond maintenance begins as early as January in Texas. Both adults help build new nest in same territory used in previous years. Nests are typically less than 2 m above ground, placed on tops of shrubs.
Incubation is by both adults and lasts approx.
4 Chicks hatch asynchronously about 1-2 days apart from April through early June. 5 Day-old chick is quite warm and still has sticky residue from the egg. The flight feathers are still growing. Threat displays are a little more intimidating now. Notice the feet are quite large and capable of putting are fairly good-sized hurt on an intruder.