This species is partially migratory (Scott and Rose 1996) or semi-nomadic (Kear 2005), making local dispersive movements during the rainy season to take advantage of temporary wetlands (Brown et al. 1982, Madge and Burn 1988, del Hoyo et al. 1992). The timing of breeding varies geographically although it generally coincides with periods of higher or more stable water levels (del Hoyo et al. 1992). The species breeds in solitary pairs or loose groups (del Hoyo et al. 1992), dispersing after breeding (as water levels drop) to gather in small flocks of 20 to 100 individuals (Brown et al. 1982) on more permanent lakes and marshes (Kear 2005). The species is crepuscular (Kear 2005) and obtains its food almost solely by diving (Brown et al. 1982). The species inhabits quiet shallow freshwater lakes, pools, lagoons, pans, inland deltas, flood-plains, marshes and swamps fringed with abundant emergent and floating vegetation (e.g. reeds, papyrus and water-lilies Nymphaea spp.) (Brown et al. 1982, Madge and Burn 1988, del Hoyo et al. 1992, Kear 2005), generally avoiding very open water (del Hoyo et al. 1992). It also often inhabits forested lakes in Madagascar (Kear 2005) and may frequent farm impoundments or stock-ponds in other areas (Scott and Rose 1996). Although the species is predominantly herbivorous (taking the seeds and leaves of aquatic plants such as water-lilies Nymphaea spp. and Polygonum spp.) the young may feed on Chironomid insect larvae (del Hoyo et al. 1992). The nest is constructed of vegetation either floating on or up to 45 cm above water amongst reedbeds or papyrus beds, or on the ground in waterside vegetation on small islands (Brown et al. 1982, del Hoyo et al. 1992). The species will occasionally use the abandoned nests of grebes or coots as nest bases (Brown et al. 1982, Madge and Burn 1988).