Common Merganser

Mergus merganser

This streamlined diving duck, with its distinctive saw-toothed bill, is a master fisher in lakes and rivers across the Northern Hemisphere.

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Common Merganser is a large, streamlined duck with a distinctive long, narrow bill. Males have a dark green head, white body, and black back, while females display a grey body with a rusty cinnamon head and white chin.

Both sexes have a bright red, serrated bill and orange legs. Juveniles resemble females but with a shorter crest and duller overall colouration.

Size

Length

58cm to 68cm

Wingspan

78cm to 94cm

Weight

1000g to 2.1kg

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

White Black Green

Secondary Colour

Red Grey

Beak Colour

Red

Leg Colour

Orange

Primary Colour (Female)

Grey Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

White

Beak Colour (Female)

Red

Leg Colour (Female)

Orange

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Common Merganser is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Common Merganser is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Common Merganser can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Common Merganser can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Common Merganser is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Common Merganser is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Common Merganser is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Common Merganser is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Common Merganser is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Common Merganser is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Common Merganser is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Common Merganser is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Common Mergansers inhabit clear, fish-rich freshwater bodies, including lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. They are found across northern North America, Europe, and Asia, with populations extending into more temperate regions.

Some birds move to coastal areas or larger unfrozen water bodies in winter. They are widespread in Canada, the northern United States, and parts of Europe, including the UK, where they are known as Goosanders.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Common Merganser. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons