Montana Field Guide

Summer plumage is black-brown coloration of crown, nape, mantle, and scapulars. White to tan belly with short, olive colored legs. Coverts sepia colored with black stripe on the underwing coverts.

Most of Montana is west of the main spring migration; it is more extensive in the fall (Skaar, no date). In the Bozeman area migration occurs from April 15 to May 15, and from July 25 to October 5, with peaks on April 25 and September 10 (Skaar 1969).

Migrants are associated with wet meadows and shallow ponds, often feeding in grassy areas somewhat away from water, but also along muddy shorelines. They also use somewhat alkaline ponds (Johnsgard 1986).

Diet consists of almost entirely insects, with a small amount of spiders and crustaceans.

Clutch size four eggs, usually laid 24 hours apart. Both parents incubate for around 20 days. Young leave nest the day after hatching, but clumsy for up to 3 days after hatch; stay near nest with parents for several days.