The Cooper's Hawk nests in mixed coniferous or deciduous forests. Nests are bulky platforms of sticks, placed in a main crotch or on a limb next to the trunk, and are usually 26 to 49 feet (8 to 15 meters) above ground. Nests are usually partially concealed by foliage. Many nests are built on top of old squirrel nests, other hawk nests, or in mistletoe clumps. Nests tend to be broad and flat in conifers and taller in deciduous trees. The nest cup is lined with bark chips and green conifer tips.
Males show strong attachment to traditional nesting territories and Cooper's Hawks tend to build nests in proximity to previous nests. Some nests can be used for up to three years. Some females breed as yearlings, but males do not breed until two years old.
The Cooper's Hawk lays clutches of three to six eggs, but four to five eggs are most common, with one egg laid every second day. The eggs are short-oval to oval in shape and the shell is smooth but not glossy. The ground color is a pale cobalt or bluish white when freshly laid, but becomes dirty white during incubation. Occasionally pale spots may be present. Egg size ranges between 1.8 and 1.9 inches (47 and 49 millimeters) in length and 1.4 and 1.6 inches (36 to 42 millimeters) in width. Incubation begins usually after the third egg is laid and lasts for 30 to 36 days. Females perform virtually all incubation while the male brings her food. Males take short turns at incubating while the female leaves the nest to consume food brought by the male. Replacement clutches are laid if the first clutch is lost. Young remain in the nest 27 to 34 days. Young are brooded constantly by the female for the first two weeks. After two weeks the female begins to leave the nest regularly to hunt for food for the young. After fledging, young return to the nest for one to two weeks to receive food. Parents care for young for up to seven weeks after they first leave the nest, then young tend to disperse.
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