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GALLERIES > BIRDS > ANSERIFORMES > ANATIDAE > COMMON MERGANSER [Mergus merganser]    [plot on map]


Common Merganser Picture @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Slimbridge Wetland Centre, England
GPS: 51.7N, -2.4W, elev=28' MAP
Date: December 28, 2011
ID : B13K1615 [4896 x 3264]

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Common Merganser Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: French Creek, B.C., Canada
GPS: 49.4N, -124.4W, elev=0' MAP
Date: September 2, 2008
ID : 7C2V8264 [3888 x 2592]

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Common Merganser Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Carmel, CA
GPS: 36.6N, -121.9W, elev=226' MAP
Date: May 26, 2007
ID : ? [3888 x 2592]

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Common Merganser Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Carmel, CA
GPS: 36.6N, -121.9W, elev=226' MAP
Date: May 26, 2007
ID : ? [3888 x 2592]

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SPECIES INFO

The Common Merganser, (Goosander in Europe), Mergus merganser, is a large sized duck, which is distributed over Europe, North Asia and North America. It is most common on lakes and rivers. Its nests can be found in treeholes.

Males and females are easily distinguished, since the male merganser has a dark green head, while the head of the female is reddish-brown. The Common Merganser is 70 cm long with a 78-94 cm wingspan.

These large fish-eaters have serrated edges to their bills to help them grip their prey. Along with the Smew and the other Mergansers, they are therefore often known as "sawbills". They also eat mussels and shrimps; young birds mainly eat aquatic insects.

North American birds migrate south in small groups to the United States wherever ice free conditions exist on ponds, lakes and rivers; on the west coast, some birds are permanent residents.

Scandinavian and Russian birds also migrate southwards, but western European birds are largely resident.

The Common Merganser is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.




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common_merganser's Range Map Click here to see the Common Merganser's range map!
Listen to the Common Merganser Call:



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