The species uses a variety of habitats throughout its range. It prefers montane areas where it occupies evergreen forests, forest edges or secondary forest, but also a variety of open habitats. It nests on ledges or shallow caves in steep rock faces and canyons, often in proximity to waterfalls or in sea caves (Lowther and Collins 2002, Levad 2010). It occurs mainly at 1,000-3,000 m, but is occasionally seen from close to sea-level to 3,700 m.

The species is known to breed in western North America, from southern Alaska and western Canada into south-west U.S.A. and central Mexico, and south through Central America to Costa Rica and Panama. These populations are considered probably migratory, but their non-breeding ranges are not certain, although western Brazil and Colombia have been identified as potential areas (Beason et al. 2012). The species also occurs in the West Indies, with subspecies C. n. niger occurring from Cuba east to Trinidad, and this subspecies may only be a partial migrant (Chantler et al. 2018).

Conservation Actions Underway
Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S.A., the Migratory Bird Convention Act in Canada, and the Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Game Mammals in Mexico.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Investigate the species's full range and its habitat requirements in the non-breeding range. Assess the threats it is facing and the causes for the decline. Carry out surveys to determine the status and trend of the population outside of Canada and the U.S.A. Limit the use of pesticides within its range.