Common Merganser

Mergus merganser

Also known as:Gulaund, Goosander, Sawbill

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Identification

Field notes

56-69 cm (22-27") Common and widespread. Wooded lakes, ponds, rivers. Large fish-eating duck with a long pointed red bill. The bill is thicker at base giving forehead a more sloping appearance than similar Red-breasted Merganser.

Male: dark green-black head; white breast and sides; black back. In flight, strong direct flight; merganser profile with long bill, head, neck, and body all held horizontally; white breast.

Female: ragged crested reddish-brown head; white chin and breast with sharp color contrast between neck and breast; gray sides and back. In flight, long bill, head, neck, and body all held horizontally; white speculum.

Song: low croaks.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

3 photos

Credit: Larry Bond

Credit: Larry Bond

Credit: Larry Bond

Watch and learn

Videos

1 video

Common Merganser

Credit: militaryairshows

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Common Merganser (Female)

1 rule

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 7

What colour was the SIDE ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: Light area between the bill and the eye · Crest of feathers on top of the head · Ear "tufts" or horns · NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Duck or Goose-like

result:792-common-merganser-female:1:1 Source: 792 Common Merganser (Female), row 1

Common Merganser (Male)

1 rule

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 7

What colour was the SIDE ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Red, or pink · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Green · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Green · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Duck or Goose-like

result:791-common-merganser-male:1:1 Source: 791 Common Merganser (Male), row 1