The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Maccoa Duck
Afrikaans name: Bloubekeend
Photo coming soon...
Oxyura maccoa
The Maccoa Duck favours permanent bodies of water and can be found over much of South Africa where suitable conditions exist. They prefer areas lined with vegetation which not only provides food but shelter as well.
The male Maccoa Duck is an attractive bird during the breeding season. It has a bluish bill, chocolate coloured head and orangey-brown body. Non-breeding males and females are drabber.
Maccoa Ducks mainly feed on small invertebrates, but they do also eat a wide variety of other foods including plant material, insects and algae.
During the breeding season males establish territories and may mate with as many as 8 females. Females build their nests amongst reeds and other vegetation. Between 4 and 12 eggs are laid with the average clutch being 5 or 6.
References and further reading
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 170Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 44
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 11
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 44
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 95
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 97
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 80