A pair of mated birds, observed by Mitchell and Michael in the Yosemite Valley, fed mostly in shallow water with gravelly bottom and sometimes in the swift current. Their wiry tails were used as a spring in diving, feet and wings for propulsion — coming to the surface without their assistance. In a current of certain speed they stood still on the bottom, held by water pressure on the slanting backs.
In the East they prefer isolated outer ledges and seldom are seen. A flock of seven off Outer Green Island in Maine were the only ones I have ever noted.
Northern North America. Commonest in northwestern part of its range.