Mergus merganser

Description

The male common merganser has a green head, a white front, a black back, and black and white wings. The female common merganser has a gray body, a brown head, and a white chin and neck. The female also has a crest on the back of her head. Both sexes have an extremely thin orange bill with saw-like edges on the upper bill (mandible).

Voice

The female common merganser has a harsh call that sounds like "karrr." The male gives quick croaking notes.

Breeding

May to July

Habitat

The common merganser lives on deep and clear lakes, ponds, and rivers. They build their nests in holes in trees or on the ground near lakes.

Diet

These diving ducks eat fish.

Range

You can find the common merganser in Canada and Alaska during the summer and in most of the United States during the winter. They live year-round in the northwestern and northeastern states.

Other Useful Information

These are social birds that like to form groups.

Similar Species

The red-breasted merganser looks a lot like the common merganser, but is thinner with a thinner bill and a very obvious crest.