It is also terrestrial, with a nesting and hunting territory of about 0.25 miles to 1 mile. This territory is aggressively defended during the spring. Males perform a threat display when other male red-shouldered hawks enter their territories. The red-shouldered hawk makes its nest in deciduous forests and swamps. The bird generally nests about 20 to 60 feet above the ground, in the crotch of hardwood trees in wet woodland areas.
Nests are large and deep, constructed from sticks, twigs, shredded bark, leaves and green sprigs.
When not in its nest, Buteo lineatus often perches on the top of dead trees in order to have an unimpeded view of the forest floor. Red-shouldered hawks in New England and the Great Lakes Region migrate south during the fall, returning north when summer arrives. Without raptors, such as the red-shouldered hawk, the populations of small mammals and reptiles and large insects would grow out of control. Buteo lineatus consumes many snakes that prey on the eggs of other woodland birds. Additionally, since it preys on rodents, the red-shouldered hawk is valuable to farmers.