Formerly a resident locally the length of the state, excluding higher mountains. A widespread winter migrant, found primarily in the Central Valley, in the western Sierra Nevada foothills, and locally in the southern desert region. Usually found in open areas with few trees, such as annual and perennial grasslands, prairies, dunes, meadows, irrigated lands, and saline and fresh emergent wetlands.
Birds are an important food source in coastal wintering areas, and in nesting season.
Also eats reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. Commonly found in treeless areas using fence posts and small mounds as perches. Found in open, treeless areas with elevated sites for perches, and dense vegetation for roosting and nesting. In Alaska, Pitelka et al. Male brings food to female, which feeds and cares for semialtricial young.