Maccoa Duck (1 Viewer)

Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa is a stiff-tailed duck from Africa.

Any idea what Maccoa means? I have read that it could be an alternative name for Macau, but this doesn't make much sense, as the species does not occur in East Asia.

See explanation The Helm dictionary of scientific bird names https://archive.org/details/Helm_Di..._James_A._Jobling/page/n233/mode/1up?q=maccoa

OD https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/111070#page/233/mode/1up is in fact no help to answer your question.

Taphrospilus, thank you!

Gonçalo Elias said:

Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa is a stiff-tailed duck from Africa.

Any idea what Maccoa means? I have read that it could be an alternative name for Macau, but this doesn't make much sense, as the species does not occur in East Asia.

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History: Jan van Riebeeck, Dutch explorer in South Africa (Cape Colony), had served his native country Holland in East Asia before his African trip, so the name maccoa could well be related to Macao. In South Africa there is still the vernacular name "Wilde Makou" for the Spur-winged Goose, Plectropterus gambensis niger). The South African name Tarentaal for Guineafowl has its source as well in Van Riebeeck's activities, for it has been derived from Terra de Natal (probably reached at Christmas), that is how those travelers named their "new" home country.
For what it's worth. Enjoy, Jan van der Brugge