General

Red-breasted Merganser: Medium-sized diving duck with black upperparts, gray sides, rust-brown breast, and white belly. Head, double crests, and neck are green; neck ring is white. Bill is long, thin, and bright orange. Females are gray overall with gray-washed, red-brown head, double crest, and white breast and belly.

Range and Habitat

Red-breasted Merganser: Breeds in Alaska and across northern Canada to Newfoundland and south to the Great Lakes. Spends winters chiefly along the coasts from Alaska south to California, from Maritime Provinces south to Florida, and along the Gulf Coast. Preferred habitat for breeding includes wooded lakes and tundra ponds; found mainly on saltwater during winter.

Breeding and Nesting

Red-breasted Merganser: Five to sixteen olive buff or green buff eggs are laid in a down-lined depression concealed under a bush or in a brush pile. Incubation ranges from 29 to 35 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Red-breasted Merganser: Eats mostly fish; forages by diving from the surface to pursue prey underwater; groups often hunt cooperatively, herding fish into shallow water where they are easier to catch.

Vocalization

Red-breasted Merganser: Utters croaks and grunts during courtship.

Similar Species

Red-breasted Merganser: Common Merganser lacks distinct crest and has white underparts. Female has a clean-cut line between its rust-brown neck and white breast.