Extinct by the 1940s but – due to conservation efforts – nowadays a widespread breeder again, so the species is the emblem of nature conservation in Hungary. Breeds colonially, primarily in reedbeds of lakes, marshes, fishponds, oxbows, also on bushes or trees along rivers. The breeding population increased between 1999 and 2018 (11.2 ± 5.3%, p<0.05). Migratory (February–November), overwinters in growing numbers.