ExploreBirds

Common Merganser

Mergus merganser

The Common Merganser is a beautiful duck with a long, slender body and a sharp beak. They love to swim and dive underwater to catch fish, making them great hunters in the water!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Common Merganser has a sleek body and a distinctive thin, serrated red bill. Males boast an iridescent green head, white body, and black back. Females have a shaggy rusty-red head and a gray body.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusMergus
Common Merganser
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Common Merganser

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A large group of mergansers is called a 'raft' or even a 'flotilla'.

Baby mergansers often jump from tree nests up to 40 feet high!

These ducks must 'run' across water to get airborne for flight!

They can stay underwater for over a minute, diving deep to hunt fish.

Special abilities

Ability

Underwater Hunter

Common Mergansers can dive deep and chase fish because their bodies are built for fast underwater swimming.

Ability

Fish Grip Bill

Common Mergansers have a serrated, hook-tipped bill that helps them firmly grasp slippery fish underwater.

Ability

Waterproof Coat

Common Mergansers have waterproof feathers, keeping them warm and dry while diving in cold water.

Measurements & details

Length
58-72 cm
Wingspan
82-97 cm
Weight
0.9-2.1 kg
Lifespan
5-13 years
Top Speed
80 km/h
Clutch Size
6-17
Incubation
28-35 days
Migration Distance
2500 km

Diet & Feeding

These ducks are expert underwater hunters, mainly eating fish and aquatic creatures.

Age differences: Young ducklings eat more aquatic insects, transitioning to mostly fish as they mature.

Primary Foods

  • Small fish
  • Trout
  • Minnows
  • Crayfish
  • Aquatic insects

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Goosander

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Common Merganser?

58-72 cm

What is Common Merganser's wingspan?

82-97 cm

How much does Common Merganser weigh?

0.9-2.1 kg

How long does Common Merganser live?

5-13 years

How fast can Common Merganser move?

80 km/h

What does Common Merganser eat?

These ducks are expert underwater hunters, mainly eating fish and aquatic creatures.

Where is Common Merganser usually found?

Wetlands

How does Common Merganser hunt?

Pursuit

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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