Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
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MM 4940
Common Merganser's, Female & Male (Mergus merganser). The French call them either a Grand Harle or Mergo mayor.
Young Common Mergansers leave their nest hole within a day or so of hatching. The mother protects the chicks, but she does not feed them. They dive to catch all of their own food. They eat mostly aquatic insects at first, but switch over to fish when they are about 12 days old.
MM 4933
Common Merganser, Female (Mergus merganser). Called a "Goosander" in Europe.
A large diving duck with a long thin bill, the Common Merganser is found along large lakes and rivers across the northern hemisphere. The long bill has toothy projections along its edges that help the duck hold onto its slippery fish prey.
MM 4930
Common Mergansers - Female & Male(Mergus merganser).
Large, slender diving duck. Long, thin, orange bill. White patches in wing visible in flight. Male with bright white sides and iridescent green head.
Size: 54-71 cm (21-28 in)
Wingspan: 86 cm (34 in)
Weight: 900-2160 g (31.77-76.25 ounces)
MM 4929
Common Merganser, Female (Mergus merganser).
The Common Merganser usually nests in tree cavities, either those made by large woodpeckers or from where a limb broke off. It will also use a nest box. Infrequently a Common Merganser might make its nest in a rock crevice, a hole in the ground, a hollow log, in an old building, or in a chimney.
MM 4921
Common Merganser's, Male & Female (Mergus merganser).
Male boldly patterned with white sides, black back, and green head. Female dull gray with reddish head and white chin.
