
Habitat
Breeds in large stands of young, dense, deciduous, coniferous, and mixed pine-hardwood forests and pine plantations. Nests generally seem to be in a stand of dense conifers near a forest opening, though this may reflect observer bias (Meyer 1987). The foraging habitat during the breeding season is essentially the same as that chosen for nesting, and the birds appear to avoid open, deciduous forests, at least in Canada (Meyer 1987).
References
Meyer, K. D. 1987. Sexual dimorphism and the behavioral ecology of breeding and wintering Sharp- shinned Hawks. Ph.D. dissertation. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.