They normally prefers mature bottomland forests or riparian habitat (Lee 2000), with flooded swamps or some form of open water nearby (Hamel 1992 Palmer 1988). Johnsgards (1990) in fact lists the Red-shouldered hawks favored habitat as 'the borders of lakes and streams or other wetlands.' Breeding territories have also been recorded in suburban wooded areas (Boynton 1993).

The nest is typically located in the crotch of a large tree (Lee 2000) of a mature forest with a well-defined understory (Palmer 1988) Normally the nest tree is among the forest interior (Lee 2000). No particular tree species is preferred, however in NC both oaks and white pines are often used (Boynton 1993). While its construction is primarily of various stick and twigs, the nest is often lined with bark, moss, lichens, conifer branchlets, and leaves of herbaceous plants (Bent 1937). Red-shouldered hawks forage under the canopy in the forest interior, and also near water in more open areas proximal to the breeding territory (Palmer 1988).

NATURE SERVE GLOBAL HABITAT COMMENTS:

Breeding habitat varies from bottomland hardwoods and riparian areas (Stewart 1949, Henny et al. 1973, Bednarz and Dinsmore 1981, Kimmel and Fredrickson 1981, Woodrey 1986, Preston et al. 1989) to upland deciduous or mixed deciduous-conifer forest (Titus and Mosher 1981, Armstrong and Euler 1983, Morris and Lemon 1983, Crocoll and Parker 1989). Nesting areas are almost always found near some form of water, such as a swamp, marsh, river, or pond (Preston et al. 1989, Bosakowski et al. 1992), and the habitat is usually well forested (Portnoy and Dodge 1979, Kimmel and Fredrickson 1981, Titus and Mosher 1981, Morris and Lemon 1983, Ebbers 1989). Further, nesting habitat typically is mature forest with a well-developed high canopy and variable amounts of understory vegetation (Postupalsky 1980, Titus and Mosher 1981, Armstrong and Euler 1983, Morris and Lemon 1983, Titus 1984, Preston et al. 1989).

According to Hamel (1992), nests in swamps, bottomlands, and moist forests, never in upland forests in the southeast. Foraging habitat: marshes, wooded lakes or ponds, swamps.

Generally requires large forested areas; in most areas seems to need tracts of at least 100-250 ha (but may use smaller forest patch if it is part of a larger forested ecosystem) (Bushman and Therres 1988). Generally replaced by the red-tailed hawk in fragmented open forests. Sometimes occurs in coniferous stands in the West. In California, has been expanding range of occupied habitats to include various woodlands, including stands of eucalyptus trees amid urban sprawl (Ehrlich et al. 1992).

The nest is usually built in the main crotch of a large, living tree in mature forest, although in Florida, palmettos may be used. In eastern North America, nests generally are far from forest edges. At least 43 species of mainly deciduous trees have been chosen, so that the size and shape seem more important than the actual species (Bednarz 1979, Apfelbaum and Seelbach 1983, Titus and Mosher 1987, Palmer 1988, Ebbers 1989). The bulky twig structure, rather flat on top, is typically placed approximately halfway up the tree in the lower portion of the canopy (Morris et al. 1982, Titus and Mosher 1987). The typical height is between 11-15 m but can range from 1.5-33.5 m (Peck and James 1983, Ebbers 1989). The nest is lined with stems, leaves, lichen, and bark. Active nests are decorated with greenery and other materials. Hemlock and other conifer sprigs are often mentioned as nest greenery, as are deciduous sprigs once they have leafed out, and Bent (1937) mentioned such plants as flowering violets and nightshade. Other materials have included cornstalks, ears, and husks, dried tent caterpillar webs, tissue paper, twine, and nests of eastern wood-pewee, red-eyed vireo, and northern oriole (Palmer 1988).

Often uses nests of previous years (Terres 1980). In eastern North America, may use nest used previously by barred owl (and vice versa) (Palmer 1988). See Dijak et al. (1990) for information on nest-site characteristics affecting success and reuse of nests in Missouri.

Nesting territories can be used for many years by a succession of pairs, even in the face of logging and (formerly) egg collecting. Bent (1937) reported an unbroken record of 26 years for a territory that was occupied for at least 42 years, until the woods were nearly ruined by cutting. His longest record was 47 years, but he knew of a tract that was occupied by red-shouldered hawks for over at least a half-century, from 1872 until 1923.