Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
The Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) is a common ducks, swans, and geese found in 84 countries, weighing about 1.0 kg. The red-breasted merganser is a duck species that is native to much of the temperate to subarctic Northern Hemisphere.
About the Red-breasted Merganser
The red-breasted merganser is a duck species that is native to much of the temperate to subarctic Northern Hemisphere. The red breast that gives the species its common name is only displayed by males in breeding plumage. Individuals fly rapidly, and feed by diving from the surface to pursue aquatic animals underwater, using serrated bills to capture slippery fish. They migrate each year from breeding sites on lakes and rivers to their mostly coastal wintering areas, making them the most frequent species in the genus Mergus to frequent saltwater regularly. The worldwide population of this species is stable, though it is threatened in some areas by habitat loss and other factors.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The adult red-breasted merganser is 51–64 cm (20–25 in) long, has a wingspan of 66–74 cm (26–29 in). Males average slightly larger, weighing 950–1,350 g (34–48 oz), compared to female weight of 800–1,100 g (28–39 oz). It has a spiky crest and long thin red bill with serrated edges. The male has a dark head with a green sheen, a white neck with a rusty breast, a black back, and white underparts. Adult females have a rusty head and a greyish-brown body. Juveniles look similar to females, but have a shorter crest, and marginally smaller white wing patches. Voice: During courtship, the female gives a rasping prrak prrak, while the male gives a catlike meow. In flight, the female makes a harsh gruk. At other times this species is largely silent.
What the Red-breasted Merganser sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Costa Rica, Panama, Morocco, Luxembourg, Egypt, Libya, Oman, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos Islands, Bosnia & Herzegovina.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December, with peak activity in April. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Red-breasted Merganser?
- The adult red-breasted merganser is 51–64 cm (20–25 in) long, has a wingspan of 66–74 cm (26–29 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Red-breasted Merganser?
- The Red-breasted Merganser is a large sized bird weighing about 1.0 kg.
- Where can you see a Red-breasted Merganser?
- The Red-breasted Merganser occurs in 84 countries, including the United States, Canada, Sweden, Norway and the United Kingdom.
- What does a Red-breasted Merganser sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Red-breasted Merganser on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Red-breasted Merganser?
- The Red-breasted Merganser is most easily confused with the Common Merganser, the Scaly-sided Merganser and the Brazilian Merganser.
- Is the Red-breasted Merganser endangered?
- The Red-breasted Merganser is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Red-breasted Merganser for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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