Common Merganser Identification
Its scientific name is 'Mergus merganser', from the family Anatidae (order Anseriformes)
What I look like
The Common Merganser is slightly larger than the Mallard.
It has a long, streamlined body, a long neck often folded back, and a head with a thick crest.
Its bill is red, narrow, and hooked at the tip.
The male in breeding plumage is white to pinkish-beige with a head that is black with dark green sheen, a well-smoothed crest, and a black upper body.
In flight, a well-defined white area is noticeable.
The female has a reddish-brown head with a white chin, a ruffled crest, and a gray body.
In flight, a white square on the wing is visible.
The male in eclipse plumage resembles the female but shows more white on the wing.
The juvenile resembles the female with a shorter crest, facial markings, a duller bill, and a lack of a clear demarcation on the throat.
My songs, my calls
The male Common Merganser emits soft cooing sounds during courtship. "pa-poor". In the background, you can also hear a Carrion Crow and then a Mallard.
The female makes harsh croaking sounds "pra-pra-pra" during courtship. Here you can hear the soft cooing of the males and the louder calls of the females.
In flight, her croaking is generally louder. "prah-prah-prah"
How I behave
The Common Merganser is very sociable outside of the breeding season. It often gathers for fishing or during molting.
It swims with its body submerged.
It is an adept diver. It can dive up to ten meters deep and stay underwater for thirty seconds.
In flight, it resembles a grebe with an extended neck and rapid, broad wingbeats.
How I reproduce
The Common Merganser looks for large-trunked trees to nest in their cavities.
It can also nest in nest boxes, under houses, or simply in a ground cavity.
The clutch laid in April-May will be lined with down.
The young are often found on the back of the female.
What I eat
The Common Merganser has a hooked bill with serrated edges…
which allows it to capture fish, its main food source.
Therefore, it seeks food in deep, clear, fish-rich waters.
It also feeds on mollusks, worms, insects, and crustaceans.
Where to find me
The Common Merganser lives on lakes and calm rivers, in wooded regions.
It is a migratory species that mainly winters in northern Western Europe and spends the summer in Northern and Northeastern Europe.
Some residents can be found between their summer and winter quarters.
It can live for about ten years.