SANParks.org Forums

Maccoa Duck
Afrikaans name: Bloubekeend
Oxyura maccoa



This male photographed at Dickin's Pan, Elandsvlei in January 2010.

Description:
Male has a chestnut body, a large, black head and a bright cobalt-blue bill.
In his eclipse plumage he remembles the female, which is dark brown with a pale cheek stripe, under which is a dark line. This pale stripe gives the impression of a pale stripe running from the bill beyond the eye.

It normally sits very low in the water, with its stiff tail mostly cocked at a 45" angle.

Habitat:
A diving species prefering quieter waters with surface vegetation.

Status:Localised resident, but thinly distributed.

Great One Yolande

Thanks Justin