Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser, male

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Red-breasted Merganser, female

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Other Names
4. Cool Facts
5. Full detailed species account

A large diving duck with a long thin bill, the Red-breasted Merganser is found in large lakes, rivers and the ocean. It prefers salt water more than the other two species of merganser.

Description

• Large, thin diving duck.
• Long, thin, orange to red-orange bill.
• Shaggy crest on back of head.
• White patches in wing visible in flight.
• Male with gray sides, dark reddish chest, white neck, and iridescent green head.

• Size: 51-64 cm (20-25 in)
• Wingspan: 66-74 cm (26-29 in)
• Weight: 800-1350 g (28.24-47.66 ounces)

Sex Differences

Male boldly patterned with white and gray sides, black back, reddish chest, white neck, and green head. Female dull gray with reddish head and shaggy double crest.

Sound

Silent except in courtship when male makes a cat-like "yeow, yeow." Female makes a harsh "gruk."

Other Names

Harle huppé (French)
Mergo copetón (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Red-breasted Merganser breeds farther north and winters farther south than the other American mergansers.

Sources used to construct this page:

Titman, R. D. 1999. Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator). In The Birds of North America, No. 443 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.