Weavers get their name because of their elaborately woven nests. The nests vary in size, shape, the material used, and construction techniques from species to species. Materials used for building nests include fine leaf fibres, grass, and twigs. Males break old nests down so that they can build a new green nest in its place and try to attract a female to that.
African Jacanas are equipped with long, gangly legs and clawed toes, making it possible for them to walk over floating hydrophytes – usually water lilies – with impressive agility. Female African Jacanas (which are larger than their mates) defend territories, which include multiple males in adjacent areas. Females lily-hop from male to male, laying about four eggs, marbled with light brown and black for camouflage. She then moves on, leaving the male to do all the dirty work. He sits on the eggs and, after they hatch, dedicates himself to rearing the chicks. This stay-at-home dad even carries his young ones under his wings to keep them safe and warm until they are about two or three weeks old.
The red-knobbed coot is largely black except for the white frontal shield. There are two tiny red knobs at the top of the facial shield, which is not visible at any great distance and are only present in the breeding season. The red-knobbed coot is reluctant to fly and when taking off runs across the water surface with much splashing. The red-knobbed coot is an omnivore and will take a variety of small live prey including the eggs of other water birds. It is an aggressive species and strongly territorial during the breeding season.
