Where do falconiforms build their nests?

The nesting habits of falconiforms vary significantly depending on the species and their taxonomic family. Generally, these birds build their nests in trees, on cliff ledges, or occasionally on the ground.1

The specific approach to nesting is divided as follows:

• Constructed Nests: Members of the family Accipitridae, as well as caracaras, the osprey, and the secretary bird, typically build nests out of sticks. These structures range from small twig arrangements to massive, annually augmented piles.1
• Non-Constructing Species: The Cathartidae and the remaining Falconidae (including forest falcons, falconets, and true falcons) do not build their own nests. Instead, they utilize existing structures such as hollow trees, the nests of other birds, or simple scrapes on cliff ledges.12

While many smaller species build new nests annually, larger species often return to and repair existing sites over several years or even generations.1