Omnivorous and opportunistic. Gleans and hunts on ground, probes in earth, and occasionally gleans fruit from trees or hawks flying insects. Also picks ticks from backs of large mammals. Builds nest in small, scattered colony in riparian grove along stream, or in planted deciduous tree near field or farmhouse.
Water always present within home range.
Requires mud for nest construction. Prefers areas where riparian groves, thickets, or hedgerows of deciduous trees border meadows, pastures, or irrigated fields. Yearlong, diurnal activity. Both sexes care for altricial young. Life histories of North American jays, crows, and titmice.