The wings beat slow and long. When flying in a flock they generally form a diagonal line. They are shy birds and if disturbed will leave. They forage alone or in small flocks and are colonial nesters. Small fish such as minnows and killifish make up about 85 percent of their diet with shrimp, molluscs, aquatic bugs, and vegetable material making up the difference.
Nerves extend to the tip of the bill making it extremely sensitive.
When prey comes in contact with the mandible it stimulates the nerves and the bill snaps shut. They usually feed in water no higher than their knees, and are able to breathe through the nostril slits located high on the base of the bill. They sweep their bill from side to side, an inch from the bottom, in wide semicircles, with the mandibles slightly open. This sweeping motion with their flat bill creates mini-whirlpools. Small animals in the muddy bottom are lifted into the water during one sweep of the bill and are grasped during the next sweep.