Galapagos hawks mainly feed on invertebrates such as giant centipedes and locusts, but also occasionally predate snakes, rodents, lizards, young iguanas, turtle hatchlings and other birds. They are also some of the major scavengers in Galapagos, feeding off carcasses using their strong beaks. 

The Galapagos hawk has quite a unique breeding system known as cooperative polyandry. Although the males are entirely monogamous, the females can mate with up to seven males throughout the nesting period. These males then help to raise the chicks (usually three in a clutch) by taking turns incubating eggs and feeding the hatchlings. The nests are usually situated low in trees, on lava ledges or on the ground. The hawks are very sensitive to human disturbance – often abandoning the nest if it is tampered with by humans. 

Galapagos hawks are thought to be relatively recent arrivals in the Galapagos. DNA analysis suggests that they colonised the Islands approximately 300,000 years ago.