Common Merganser
NameCommon Merganser
Common NameCommon Merganser
Scientific NameMergus merganser
FamilyAnatidae
Wingspan (cm)83
Length (cm)65
Weight (g)1500
Plumage DetailsAdult males have a white body, black back, and an iridescent dark green head. Females have a reddish-brown head with a shaggy crest, a white chin, and a grey body with a white belly. Both sexes have a bright red bill and dark eyes.
Vocalization / CallGenerally quiet, Common Mergansers produce a variety of croaking, grunting, and rattling calls, especially during courtship. Females may emit a harsh 'karr-karr-karr' call.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatsfreshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, coastal estuaries
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across the Northern Hemisphere, breeding in northern North America, Europe, and Asia. They migrate south for the winter, often to large rivers and coastal areas.
Identifying Featureslong, slender, serrated red bill, shaggy crest (female), sleek, torpedo-shaped body, diving behavior, iridescent dark green head (male), reddish-brown head (female)
Description
The Common Merganser is a large diving duck with a sleek body and a long, slender, serrated bill. Males are striking with their white bodies and dark green heads, while females have a distinctive reddish-brown head with a shaggy crest and a grey body. They are typically found on freshwater lakes and rivers, where they actively dive for fish.
