While some remain thruout the Winter in favorite locations from Massachusetts southward, a number migrate in flocks and I have met these travelers on the meadows from New York to Florida. Toward dusk they may be seen quartering the open ground like Marsh Hawks and they are semi-diurnal. On the wheat fields of Canada they are locally common and try to lure an intruder from the nest by flying close, shooting off a little distance, alighting and uttering cries of distress. The usual note is a short quap, given with clicking bill. Mice are the principal food and these animals are pursued with regular catlike cunning, even camping near a hole until the intended victim appears.
North America north to Arctic coast.