Nests in fresh emergent wetland bordering lacustrine habitats. From late September to April, common to abundant along coast, on Salton Sea, and in northeastern California, and common elsewhere in California, except in the high Sierra Nevada.
Numbers decline markedly in northeastern California in some winters.
Fairly uncommon through summer, except locally common, especially in northeastern California, and rare along coast and in northern mountains. Animal foods include aquatic insects in freshwater, and mollusks, crustaceans, and worms in saltwater. Seldom comes ashore, except a female leading a brood overland from one water area to another. Nest built above shallow water amidst dense, tall fresh-emergent vegetation, near open water of lake, pond, or marsh. No additional data found.