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WetlandPlatform nestLarge · 674 g
ID tip
As members of the stiff-tailed duck group, Maccoas are often found wading in the water with their tail feathers cocked upwards. As diving ducks, their bodies are specialized for being agile underwater swimmers and thus have sacrificed the characteristics that allow them to move well on land. As a result, their legs are set further back on their bodies which makes them awkward when walking out of water. Voice: When putting on their mating displays, males will often give out short whistles or will produce a prrrr'ing sound for 2 or 3 seconds. When feeling threatened, both males and females will emit low grunts.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Maccoa Duck
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Maccoa Duck
The map shades 9 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom.
About the Maccoa Duck
The Maccoa duck is a stiff-tailed diving duck found across Eastern and Southern Africa.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Lake DuckOxyura vittataThe lake duck grows to 36–46 centimetres (14–18 in).
White-headed DuckOxyura leucocephalaAdult males have a grey and reddish body, a blue bill and a largely white head with a black cap and neck.
Blue-billed DuckOxyura australisThe tail feathers for both the male and female are made up of thick, spine-like shafts.
Side by side: Blue-billed Duck vs Maccoa Duck · Maccoa Duck vs White-headed Duck · Lake Duck vs Maccoa Duck
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