Photo: Monkey Boy / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Maccoa Duck
Oxyura maccoa
Maccoa Duck (Oxyura maccoa) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Africa.
Found across 15 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Maccoa Duck (Oxyura maccoa) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 674 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Oxyura
- Species maccoa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 674 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Maccoa Duck is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Maccoa Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Maccoa Duck (Oxyura maccoa) is a member of the Anatidae family, within the order Anseriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Ethiopia to South Africa.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 674 g, with a wing length of about 15.6 cm and a tail of around 6.8 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2.2 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Maccoa Duck?
The Maccoa Duck is a large bird that weighs around 674 g.
Where does the Maccoa Duck live?
The Maccoa Duck is found across Africa with a range covering AF Ethiopia to South Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Maccoa Duck belong to?
The Maccoa Duck (Oxyura maccoa) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Maccoa Duck eat?
The Maccoa Duck is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Maccoa Duck migrate?
The Maccoa Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Maccoa Duck endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
How large is the Maccoa Duck's range?
The Maccoa Duck has a mapped global range of about 2.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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