Is a Red-breasted Merganser rare?

Is a Red-breasted Merganser rare?

On deeper lakes and rivers, it is an uncommon migrant, and rare winter resident across the state. The distribution and ecology of the Red-breasted Merganser are similar to the Common Merganser but, in contrast, it occurs more frequently in salt water and estuaries, and typically nests on the ground.

What is the difference between a Goosander and an merganser?

Goosander: Compared with Red-breasted Merganser, has a neat division between the head and pale neck, a nice white throat and a substantial crest which makes the head look fuller. The bill is narrow with a thin base and the white throat patch of Goosander is lacking.

Where do red-breasted mergansers live?

Habitat. Red-breasted Mergansers breed in the boreal forest on fresh, brackish, and saltwater wetlands, typically close to the coast. During migration and on the wintering grounds, they use oceans, lakes, and rivers. They tend to use saltwater, including estuaries and bays, more often than Common Merganser.

How big is a Red-breasted Merganser?

2.3 lbsAdult
Red-breasted merganser/Mass

Is Red-breasted Merganser endangered?

Least Concern (Population stable)
Red-breasted merganser/Conservation status

Are common mergansers rare?

These ducks live mainly on freshwater rivers and lakes. They are rare in the ocean, but they sometimes use saltwater estuaries in winter. They nest in tree cavities in northern forests near rivers and lakes.

Is Common Merganser same as Goosander?

Notes: – The Goosander or Common Merganser is a sea duck. It is an expert at diving for fish such as salmon and trout and has a sawbill to help grip the fish. This bird has become unpopular with anglers due to its efficiency in taking fish.

What are baby Mergansers called?

Males are called drakes, females are hens, and young are ducklings. Hooded mergansers can fly at speeds approaching 80 kph (50 mph). These birds are able to catch fish by direct underwater pursuit, remaining submerged for up to 2 minutes.

Do mergansers run on water?

For example, a light-bodied, male Hooded Merganser “ran” on the water less than 50 feet before it was air-borne. The merganser’s feet barely touched the water surface as its rapid wingbeats lifted it into the air.

Is a red-breasted merganser a duck?

The Red-breasted Merganser is a shaggy-headed diving duck also known as the “sawbill”; named for its thin bill with tiny serrations on it that it uses to keep hold of slippery fish. It breeds in the boreal forest on freshwater and saltwater wetlands.

What does a red breasted merganser look like?

The dark green head appears black at a distance and is tufted at the back, unlike the smooth head of the common merganser. Male red-breasted mergansers have deep red eyes and feet. The back is black, the rump gray-brown with fine black bars.

What is the breeding range of the red-breasted merganser?

The breeding range of the red-breasted merganser generally extends farther north and not as far south as the common merganser. The principal region of overlap is in southeastern and southern Canada.

What do red-breasted mergansers eat?

Red-breasted mergansers feed on fish (herring, fry, minnows), fish eggs and occasionally shrimp and crabs. Usually they dive for food, hunting on lakes and rivers, in coastal bays and at sea.

Do mergansers fly south for the winter?

A few thousand have been known to fly south from central Canada across the Great Plains to winter along the Texas coast. Red-breasted mergansers typically migrate in small flocks of 5 to 15, with coastal flights occurring during the day and inland flights at night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzYWwA7izQY