Gathers in large flocks outside the breeding season. Noisy and conspicuous. Relatively tame. Usually feeds in small groups, while a 'sentinel' keeps watch from a nearby perch, often foraging on the ground. Grass seeds, herbaceous plants, grains, fruits, berries, weed seeds, insects, larvae are taken.

Found in most types of timbered country: forests, woodlands, cultivated land, parks and gardens.