Red-breasted Merganser

51-66 cm (20-26") Common. Nests on lakes, rivers; winters along coastal waters, preferring salt waters. Fish-eating diving duck. Long pointed red bill is thin at base giving the forehead a more vertical appearance than similar Common Merganser.

Male: shaggy crested green-black head; white collar; brownish breast; gray sides; black back.

Female: shaggy crested reddish-brown head, paler than Common Merganser's and blending into white breast; gray sides.

In flight, bill, head, neck, and body all held horizontally; male has much white on upper wing.

Song: croaks.

Videos

Images

Credit: Kevin Lin

Credit: Larry Bond

Credit: Chuq Von Rospach

Credit: Laura Gooch

Distribution Maps

Red-breasted Merganser winter distribution map

Red-breasted Merganser distribution map