Highest numbers are in Central and Imperial valleys.
Uncommon in northern mountains and rare in southern deserts. Uncommon to fairly common along coast in winter, in salt ponds, estuarine waters, and saline emergent wetlands. In northeastern California, very common late August to November, March to April, and through mild winters, and rare May to July, when it nests. In California, often feeds on crops such as lettuce, alfalfa, clover, and young barley. Also eats some seeds and waste grain.