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Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
Family - Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)

The adult male Common Merganser's has a long thin orange bill that is used for diving. When in flight, look for white patches in the wings.

The female's appearance is slightly more rugged, with a rusty brown head and short ragged crest's. Young Common Merganser's appearance resembles that of an adult female.

Common merganser's nest in tree cavities made by woodpeckers or broken tree limbs. Sometimes they even use a rock crevice, hole in the ground, a hollow log or even a chimney.

Common Merganser's eat small fish, insects, mollusks, crustaceans, worms, frogs, small mammals, birds, and plants.

Common Merganser

Photos © Julia Flanagan; Glacier National Park, MT

Text by Naira Feraidon and Eliza Bunn