In courtship display, the lobe is inflated, together with raising the tail feathers into a fan and kicking up to 2m sprays of water. Rarely seen on land. Dives for cover when alarmed. Flight is laboured with 'crash' landings. Emits a strong musk odour from rump gland to attract female.  Feeds by diving deep, remaining submerged for at least a minute. Takes insects, small aquatic creatures and occasionally aquatic plants and seeds. 

Found in large and permanent lakes, swamps with dense reed beds and open water.