Common Merganser

Mergus merganser

Duck Like

Length: 25 in. (64 cm )

Wintering in small groups on deep rivers, lakes, ponds and occasionally in coastal bays, this deep-diving species uses the saw-toothed edges of its bill to catch and hold on to fish. During the summer they move to forested and mountainous lakes to nest high in tree cavities or rarely in rock crevices and holes in dirt banks. The nest is lined with vegetation, moss and feathers. Females alone incubate and care for the young.

The four-digit banding code is COME.

Male | Robert Shantz

Female | Jim Burns

Open water

There are no audio files saved for this bird.

Sonogram Large:

There are no sonograms saved for this audio.

Sonogram Zoom:

There are no sonograms saved for this audio.

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/common-merganser

Bibliographic details:

Article: Common Merganser
Author(s): Dr. Biology
Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
Date published: 13 Jul, 2017
Date accessed:
Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/common-merganser

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (Thu, 07/13/2017 - 15:38). Common Merganser. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/common-merganser

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Common Merganser". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/common-merganser

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Common Merganser". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/common-merganser

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/

A close-up image of barley, an edible crop from the grass family

What is regenerative agriculture?

Answer >>

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon Contribute