In Spring migration females precede males and perform erratic maneuvers in compact flocks over the marshes. Mating is casual and when eggs are laid the males desert their consorts, relinquishing family cares with Cowbird nonchalance.
They walk with stateliness and obtain a great proportion of their food from swamps, being especially fond of fiddler crabs. Like others of the family they are omnivorous, eating grain, insects, fruit or whatever appears on Nature's table.
NEST: a large collection of twigs, grass and bark, located in colonies among reeds or swamp bushes.
EGGS: 3–5; dull green or olive blotched with browns and black.
South Atlantic and Gulf Coast of United States, North to Virginia; west to Texas coast.
A spreading 40-foot tree distributed from Ontario and eastern United States to Kansas and Texas.