Common Merganser
(Mergus merganser)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5B, N5N - Secure Breeding and Nonbreeding SNRB, SNRN - Unranked Breeding and Nonbreeding |
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| Minnesota | not listed Species in Greatest Conservation Need |
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Description |
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Size |
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22″ to 27″ in length 34″ wingspan |
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Voice |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Large rivers, deep lakes |
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Biology |
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Migration |
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Mid February to mid-May and mid-September to mid-December |
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Nesting |
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Food |
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Distribution |
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Occurrence |
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Common migrant, uncommon breeder |
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Maps |
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The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map |
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Taxonomy |
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| Class | Aves (birds) | ||
Order |
Anseriformes (waterfowl) | ||
Family |
Anatidae (ducks, geese, and swans) | ||
| Subfamily | Anatinae (dabbling ducks) | ||
Genus |
Mergus (greater mergansers) | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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American Merganser (Mergus merganser americanus) Common Merganser (Mergus merganser merganser) Himalayan Large Merganser (Mergus merganser orientalis) |
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Synonyms |
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Visitor Photos |
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Ann Michels |
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There was a flock of them swimming with Canada Geese. Perhaps 20 or 30. This is the second day I’ve seen them there. |
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Ramona Abrego |
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Wayne Rasmussen |
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Merganser family |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Common Merganser Allen Chartier |
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| Common Mergansers Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren |
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| Common Merganser JMC Nature Photos |
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Visitor Videos |
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Avi Birds |
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| Common Merganser / Goosander [Mergus merganser] May 4, 2022 |
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About
In this video, we learn about the common merganser. |
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Other Videos |
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| common merganser groenelantaarn |
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About
Uploaded on Nov 28, 2010 Mergus merganser blijdorp rotterdam holland |
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| common merganser (female) groenelantaarn |
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About
Uploaded on Aug 5, 2010 female Mergus merganser... blijdorp rotterdam,holland |
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| Common Merganser Day Care MatesMusicians |
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About
Uploaded on Jun 21, 2011 Just before I could set my camera up I witnessed a Common Merganser mother of two, drop her brood off with a larger group. The mother of two headed up stream leaving her offspring with a single female Common Merganser who was already watching 15 young Mergansers. Because ducks forage for themselves from the day they are born, they don't rely on there parents for food. A mother Merganser who looks after multiple broods is also increasing her broods chance of survival from predator attacks. The more ducklings there are in a group the less of a chance one of her own will be a casualty. |
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| Harle bièvre / Common Merganser / Mergus merganser.mov cameranature |
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About
Published on Jan 13, 2013 Le Harle bièvre est un canard piscivore qui ne niche en France que sur les grands lacs Alpins (Annecy, Léman). Il fréquente volontiers les ports. Les Harles de cette vidéo ont été filmés en Suisse à Genève où ils sont assez faciles à observer. |
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| Common Merganser male (Mergus merganser) Frank Blangeard |
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About
Published on Jan 1, 2013 This common merganser was seen on a small icy pond in Oregon on January 1st, 2013. Many other birds were on the pond but this was the only merganser. Taken with a Sony DSC-HX200V. |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this bird. |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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| Ann Michels 3/14/2021 |
Location: Theodore Wirth Park There was a flock of them swimming with Canada Geese. Perhaps 20 or 30. This is the second day I’ve seen them there. |
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| Ramona Abrego | Location: Lake County on Lake Superior |
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| Ramona Abrego | Location: Becker County |
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| Deb Wyatt 7/22/2018 |
Location: South shore of Star Island, Cass Lake, MN. Observed a female ... with 7 ducklings on the south (sandy) shore of Star Island. She swam off toward the west. One of the babies rode on her back. |
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| Wayne Rasmussen 5/13/2018 |
Location: Ramsey, Maplewood Hts Park |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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