Feeding Behavior

Forages by walking in shallow water, searching for snails visually, also by probing in mud and among floating vegetation. May feed at night, especially on moonlit nights. Moves to solid ground to remove snail from shell or to pound mussel open. The tip of the bill usually curves slightly to the right, which may help in removing snail from curved shell. The bill also usually has a slight gap just behind the tips of the mandibles, which may help in carrying and manipulating the snails.

Eggs

Usually 4-8. Olive to buff, blotched with brown and gray. Incubation is by both sexes, but incubation period not well known. Young: Downy young leave the nest within a day after hatching, and follow one or both parents. Probably both parents feed young. Development of young and age at first flight not well known.

Young

Downy young leave the nest within a day after hatching, and follow one or both parents. Probably both parents feed young. Development of young and age at first flight not well known.

Diet

Large snails. Eats mostly large apple snails (genus Pomacea). In Florida, will also eat other kinds of snails and mussels; also sometimes insects, crustaceans, worms, frogs, lizards.

Nesting

Breeding behavior not well known. May nest in loose colonies where food is abundant. Nest site for nest varies; may be on ground near water, in marsh grass just above water, or in shrubs or trees above or near water, up to 20' high or sometimes much higher. Nest is a platform of reeds and grass, lined with finer plant material.