Common Merganser

Description: The common merganser has a long, slender bill that has serrated edges, a trait that separates it from all other ducks. They are some of the biggest of all duck species, but have a thinner build and other large duck species. They have a thin profile when flying and are often seen flying near the surface of the water

Males: The male common mergansers have a head and neck that is dark green, almost black. The chest, breast, and stomach are white with a hint of pink. Their backs are black and the top parts of their wings are black with some white feathers near the body. Their bill is red and their feet and legs are a dark, crimson color.

Females: The female mergansers have a reddish brown head with a tuft of feathers on top and have a white area on the bottom of their head. Their back and sides are gray with a stomach area that is white. Their bill is also red with legs and feet just like the males that are a dark red color.

Breeding: Most common mergansers will breed in areas from Alaska across much of Canada to Labrador, and from California up the Pacific coast. Those that live east of the Rocky Mountains are found in the Great Lake states and New England. Most common mergansers will build a nest in a hollow tree, cliffs, or large nest boxes, or on ground that is near rivers in wooded areas or even mountains. The female common merganser will lay about 9-12 eggs per laying season.

Migrating and Wintering: For winter months, the common mergansers will be found in areas ranging from the Atlantic coast US states and Canadian providences, from Florida up to Newfoundland. They may also be found from the Great Lake States down to the Gulf of Mexico in eastern regions, as well as along the Pacific coast states and providences.

Population: Current population numbers of common mergansers is thought to be pretty stable throughout all areas where they frequent.

Food habits: The diet of common mergansers is usually small fish, crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians, and various invertebrates that are eaten by diving into the water in both marine and freshwater. During winter months, they will typically eat eel grass, but also sea lettuce and sea cabbage when available. The diet during summer months is grasses, algae, various aquatic plant life, and marine invertebrates.

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