The species nests colonially in single- or mixed-species groups with up to 10-20 pairs per tree, occasionally up to 50 pairs. The nest is positioned in small trees over water or high up in larger trees on dry land. At night it forms communal roosts in favoured roosting sites (e.g. sandbanks or trees), which may attract individuals from a wide area. The overall trend is decreasing, although some populations may be stable. Its diet consists of small aquatic prey such as frogs, small fish, aquatic insects, worms and occasionally small mammals and birds. Species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
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Africa (entire continent rather than south of Sahara)
AN
Antarctica
AO
Atlantic Ocean
AU
Australasia (Wallacea (Indonesian islands east of Wallace's line), New Guinea and its islands, Australia, New Zealand and its subantarctic islands, the Solomons, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu)
PAL
Eurasia (Europe, Asia from the Middle East through central Asia north of the Himalayas, Siberia and northern China to Japan)
IO
Indian Ocean
LA
Latin America (Middle and South America)
MA
Middle America (Mexico through Panama)
NA
North America (includes the Caribbean)
NO
Northern oceans
OR
Oriental Region (South Asia from Pakistan to Taiwan, plus Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and Greater Sundas)