Mergus
merganser
(Common
Merganser)
Physical
Description:
22-27"
(56-69 cm). Male has glossy green-black head with a orange-red bill; black back
and wings; white below. White is visible on sides and inner wings in flight.
Females have brownish-red head with crest and gray back and wings.
Similar Species- Male Red-breasted Merganser
Song:
Repeated
croaking sounds.
Distribution:
Breeds
from Alaska and Canada, south to central California, Arizona, and Mexico. Also
breeds in northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada. Winters from Alaska and southern
Canada, south to Mexico and Florida.
Habitat:
Found mostly on lakes and rivers; winters
primarily on open lakes and rivers and
brackish
lagoons, rarely in marine
coastal situations. In Idaho, breeds on forest watercourses, and winters on
Snake River and larger reservoirs in southern part of state.
Diet:
Eats mainly fishes, but will also eat
amphibians, crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates. Young initially
feed on insects caught underwater.
Ecology:
Dives under water surface to obtain food. Usually
nests in cavity in tree, but will occasionally nest on ground, around shrubs or under
rocks.
6-17 eggs (usually 9-12),
for 28-32 days. Young first fly at 60-70 days, and breed at end of second year.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABNJB21010 |
| Status: | Game species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S5 |
| National Rank: | N5B,N5N |
Important
State References:
No references are available at this time.