Many birds are caught by pursuit as they fly near a tree in which the hawk is perched. If prey is not caught within a hundred yards the chase is given up. In central New York, where a few winter, they arrive in the nesting woods in March. The male defends an area about 100 metres in diameter where he calls occasionally and, when and if a female appears, feeds her. The wings are lifted high above the back and moved through a deep arc.
Some pairs perform such flights frequently for a month or so.
A pair, undoubtedly the same, may nest year after year in the same tract of woods, but a new site is as a rule taken each year, even though the nest is not rarely built on top of the residue of a crow, squirrel or wood rat nest. Occasionally, a pair uses the same nest for four years. The male selects the nest site and does most of the building. When a last year's nest is used the female selects and repairs it. The male snaps off twigs for the nest by seizing them in his feet and using his weight.