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Red-Breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

Red-Breasted Merganser

Red-Breasted Merganser

Quick Facts

Classification

Scientific name:

Mergus serrator

Family:

Ducks, geese and swans

Conservation status:

Green

Measurements

Length:

52cm to 58cm

Wingspan:

70cm to 86cm

Weight:

900g to 1.35kg

About the Red-Breasted Merganser

The red-breasted merganser is a rather handsome looking diving duck. They are great fishers and have long, serrated beaks which help them with this. These birds are most commonly seen in the UK in the winter, mainly on coastlines. These ducks are sociable birds and will form a flock into the hundreds in the autumn months.

Red-Breasted Mergansers have a particular fondness of salmon and trout, which has brought them into conflict with fisherman.

What does a Red-Breasted Merganser eat?

Their diets consist of fish - mainly salmon and trout.

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Learn more about the Red-Breasted Merganser

Other birds in the Ducks, geese and swans family

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