Hawk Nesting Habits and Behaviors

By Richard Worden

Hawk nesting habits and behaviors differ from most birds. They favor specific periods, nesting materials, and breeding spots for the successful season. However, the end goal is still to reproduce and train their offspring to be independent.

Hawk nesting seasons depend on the species. Red-tailed hawks begin nesting in late February. They make their nests from various materials and place them in the crown of tall trees. Unlike most birds, they may return to an old nest from the former season.

In this article, I will discuss hawk nesting habits and behaviors in great detail, from their preferred times of the year to how and where they build their nests. You’ll also learn when they lay eggs in the nest and how long it takes for the offspring to fledge and leave.

When Is the Hawk Mating Season?

Hawks are widespread birds, with unique species present worldwide, so their mating season varies. However, they mainly prioritize periods with ample food for their potential offspring's development.

Hawk mating season is anytime from March to July in the United States. It can occur earlier in the South and later in North America. Some may start mating earlier to establish their spot and allow time for nesting.

In Africa, hawk mating season can also begin in March, but it usually ends in the other half of the year. The African harrier-hawk, for example, breeds from November to December in South Africa, but in Nigeria, it is from March to August.

The Eurasian Sparrowhawk starts mating around the beginning to mid-April, and the season lasts till the end of August.

Also, Brown Goshawks, a native of Oceania, start mating in July. Although they hardly raise more than one brood, the breeding season won't end till December, in case one hasn't copulated earlier.

Where Do Hawks Build Their Nests?

Hawks appear intimidating due to their desire to always perch on high platforms. It gives them sweeping views of the area, essential for hunting. However, do they also nest that high, especially during breeding seasons?

Hawks usually build their nests on tall trees near fields and lakes. The spot may be between 10 to 90 feet (3 to 27 meters) high, giving them an expansive view of the entire area. Aside from the crown and branches of tall trees, hawks build nests on cliff ledges, window ledges, and billboards.

Most hawk nests are difficult to spot without binoculars. You'll need to climb tall trees or mountains to view them in closed quarters.

However, not every hawk, like the Northern harrier, fancy such great heights for nesting.

The North American species build their nest on bare grounds, usually in wet areas, to prevent predation. Sometimes, they nest on dense herbs, shrubs, or mounds of dirt, depending on the location.

Hawks also like building their nest near bodies of water to hunt for fish.

What Month Do Hawks Lay Eggs?

Hawks, like most birds, don't just lay eggs anytime and anywhere without adequate planning. They first build nests to contain and secure future offspring before copulating with their mates and finally reproducing them in the breeding season. Hence, what time of the year are they ready for egg-laying?

Hawks lay eggs from early March to late August in the US. The precise month will depend on several factors, including the particular hawk species and its native region. However, after mating at any time, the first egg takes over 24 hours to develop before the mother hawk lays it.

The Red-tailed hawk will continue laying eggs every two or three days till their clutch of up to five eggs is complete. Sometimes, they lay only one egg in a season.

The eggs are 2.1 to 2.2 inches (5.24 to 5.65 centimeters) long and 1.6 to 1.7 inches (4.16 to 4.39 centimeters) in width. They weigh only 2 ounces (0.06 kilograms) after being laid, but it increases as development continues.

They are usually white and oval-shaped, speckled with buff, purple, or brown.

How Long Do Hawks Stay in Nest?

As hostile as hawks may seem, they can't ignore their parental instincts, which means caring for and securing their offspring after reproduction. They incubate them as eggs and train them as nestlings to lead independent lives.

Hawks stay in their nest for 10 to 15 weeks after egg-laying. The eggs spend 20 to 40 days before hatching into nestlings, and they’ll take 40 to 55 days to complete development. Afterward, the offspring fledges and leaves the nest, and the parent hawks vacate it to return in the following season.

Unfortunately, not all eggs successfully leave their nests as mature hawks for several reasons:

• Snakes may prey on them.
• Environmental factors can cause them to crack.
• Human activities sometimes disturb their nest.

On the contrary, mature hawks may stay longer with their offspring. Experts have observed them hunting as a team, making them even more formidable.

When Do Baby Hawks Leave the Nest?

Despite the immense care parent hawks give their young, there comes a time they have to separate to live alone. When they mature, hawks will find a mate to reproduce another generation, keeping the cycle going. So when are the babies deemed fit enough for this?

Baby hawks leave the nest after 5 to 8 weeks as nestlings. During their nestling stage, they learn how to fly. Some species also learn to hunt several animals, such as fish, reptiles, and mammals being birds of prey.

After fleeing the nest, the offspring are still incapable of strong flight. Parents of some hawk species will continue to feed their young for 3 to 11 more weeks as they will remain in the area.

The Red-tailed hawk should live up to 14 to 20 years more in the wild. However, several unfortunate reasons cause them to die, especially after leaving the nest in the first year. These include:

• Power lines may electrocute them.
• They can lose a fight with a predator and get preyed upon.
• Cars hit some, while others get shot.
  
  

Where Do Hawks Nest in Winter?

Many hawks are year-round avians, so birders still expect them to entertain during winter. However, owing to the season's extreme cold, frozen water bodies, and fewer lush trees, people feel the birds are selective about where they nest, which is only partially true.

Hawks nest in tall trees or artificial structures. Tree lovers will search for green coniferous trees, while there's hardly any difference with nesting on billboards during this period. Others that prefer the ground still nest there.

Instead of worrying about shelter to survive the season, hawks search harder for food to maintain body temperature. Red-tail hawks will be satisfied with the equivalent of three to four chipmunks a day.

Also, their wings become more helpful during this period, as it keeps them warm. They act as insulators from the cold weather by preventing heat from leaving, trapping some air within.

Conversely, some hawks, like the Red-tailed hawk, still can't stand the cold and will migrate in due time. Regardless, they will hardly change their most favored nesting site.

Do Hawks Abandon Their Nests?

Hawks' nests are well-crafted and comfortable, sturdy by their placement on a steady platform. It takes 1 to 2 weeks for both parents' significant intervention to complete them. Hence, since their offspring fledge and leave the nest after maturing, do they also abandon them to build another next breeding season?

Hawks do not abandon their nests completely and may reuse them in the following seasons. They will only construct a new nest when they can't find a previously-built one. Many hawk species are highly territorial, defending the nest from strangers.

When a hawk pair first arrive at a breeding ground, they find an ideal spot, then look for materials to construct their nest there. The materials can include:

The hawk's size influences how large the nest will be, but Red-tailed hawks' nests are typically  28 to 30 inches (71 to 76 centimeters) outside and 14 to 15 inches (35 to 37 centimeters). They are around 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 centimeters) deep in depth.

• Twigs
• Sticks
• Fresh foliage
• Bark strips
• Vegetation
  
  

Do Hawks Return to the Same Nest Every Year?

Not all hawks return to the same nest every year. While most hawk species are known to be faithful to their nests, others will migrate from one spot to another during the winter months in search of food.

The Red-tailed hawk is one example of a species that may or may not return to its own nest each year. However, these birds will mate for life and build a new nest together before finally settling down.

When returning to a nest, hawks clean and renovate it extensively, repairing any possible damage before commencing the season.

Hawk Nesting Habits and Behaviors...Conclusion

Hawk nesting habits and behaviors differ significantly from most other birds to ensure a successful breeding season.

They nest on tall trees or artificial structures to have a sweeping aerial view, which helps them locate potential prey and predators faster. However, some others nest on bare ground.

The birds of prey are highly parental, leaving their nests after the season when their young ones become independent but usually return the following season to raise a new brood.

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Hi! I'm Richard Worden, the author and founder of We Know Birds.

Over 20 years ago I developed a keen interest in birds and birdwatching, and it has been my passion ever since. I am committed to spreading useful knowledge about birds to others so we might all enjoy them to the fullest.

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