During four breeding seasons (2007-2011) we observed the reproduction of the Rufous-tailed Hawk in the Araucania, southern Chile. Breeding territories (N = 42) were located in mountainous areas widely covered by native forest (190 to > 3000 ha, N = 30) or combinedly with forestry plantations and/or agricultural prairies (N = 12). The size of 10 territories ranged 2.1-20.6 km(2). Reproductive remnants were composed mainly of old- (>200 years) and second-growth (<200 years) forests. Breeding sites where we evidenced nesting (N = 11) were established in ravines or declines. Eight of the sites were established in well-defined and relatively large (> 250 ha) patches of native forests and three were within old pine patches surrounded by old- and second growth forests and mature pine plantations (> 20 years). These sites were close to rural areas with human activity (0.2-3.9 km). Nesting platforms were built on old, high (25-40 m) live trees with a trunk of large diameter (0.6-1.9 m). Platforms were large, oval or circular; the unique nest measured reached maximum length and width of 84 x 100 cm. The observed pairs bred asynchronously prolonging the reproductive period for c. 7 months. Courtship was recorded from mid-winter to early spring. Incubation occurred from early- to mid-spring (c. 30 days). Rearing-chick extended from mid-spring to early summer. Most of the territories had anthropogenic disturbance or activity. In 19 territories we detected hunting of hawks by villagers, being attacks to poultry the main justification. Although our study indicates that the Rufous-tailed Hawk can tolerate human modifications of the original forest landscape, we think that the lost of native forest cover and human persecution could be synergistically acting against its population viability.