From August to early May, fairly common in estuarine habitats and saline emergent wetland, but rare in marine habitats. Other foods include amphibians, mollusks, leeches, and aquatic plants. Young chicks are fed insects.
All food is taken in aquatic and wetland habitats.
Adults dive for food, pursuing prey underwater, or searching the bottom. May submerge repeatedly, exposing only the beak or head each time. Usually nests over water, but occasionally rests and preens ashore. Builds nest in emergent vegetation, usually beside an opening that allows an underwater approach from nearby open water. Nests most commonly on ponds, but also found in marshes, large ditches, and marshy borders of lakes.