Common Merganser

Adult females and juveniles have a reddish-brown crested head, a sharp demarcation with a white throat, grey upperparts, and white underparts. Adult males in breeding plumage have a dark green head, white body with delicate pinkish flush, black back, and bright red bill.

Large size, distinctive ragged reddish-brown crest (in females), long slender red bill with a serrated edge, and grey body.

Length: 58-70 cm (23-28 in); Wingspan: 78-97 cm (31-38 in); Weight: 900-2100 g (2-4.6 lbs).

Generally silent, but females emit a harsh, low-pitched croak or clucking call when disturbed.

Primarily fish, supplemented by aquatic insects, crustaceans, frogs, mollusks, and occasionally small mammals.

Clear, unpolluted freshwater rivers, streams, and large lakes, preferring forested surroundings for nesting cavities.

Partial migrant. Northern populations migrate south to ice-free waters, while southern populations are year-round residents.

Nests in tree cavities, cliff crevices, or sometimes artificial nest boxes near water. Lays 6-17 cream-colored eggs. Incubation lasts about 32-35 days, performed solely by the female.

Red-breasted Merganser, which has a thinner bill, more ragged double crest, and a mottled brownish breast in females.

Acts as an apex predator in aquatic food webs, helping regulate fish populations and indicating the health of freshwater ecosystems.

Least Concern, with stable to increasing populations globally.

Look for them in clear, fast-flowing rivers or large lakes. They are often seen diving repeatedly for fish or resting on rocks near the water.

Common Mergansers are excellent divers, propelling themselves underwater mainly with their feet. Ducklings leave the nest within 24-36 hours of hatching, jumping to the ground from elevated tree cavities at the mother's call.