common merganser

bird

Also known as: Mergus merganser, goosander, sheldrake

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

The common merganser (Mergus merganser), also known as the goosander, is a species of diving duck found widely across the Northern Hemisphere. These long-bodied ducks are characterized by a narrow bill with toothlike edges and a hooked tip, adapted for catching fish.12

During the breeding season, the male common merganser displays mostly white plumage with a blackish-green head, while the female and nonbreeding males have predominantly gray plumage and a reddish-brown head. They typically nest in hollow trees in temperate to subarctic regions and migrate to more southerly rivers.12

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merganser
The common merganser, or goosander (M. merganser), is of mallard size; the male lacks a noticeable crest. It usually nests in hollow trees in north temperate to subarctic regions and migrates to more southerly rivers. The somewhat smaller and ground-nesting red-breasted merganser (M. serrator) has a…
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The common merganser, or goosander (M. merganser), is of mallard size; the male lacks a noticeable crest. It usually nests in hollow trees in north temperate to subarctic regions and migrates to more southerly rivers. The somewhat smaller and ground-nesting red-breasted merganser (M. serrator) has a…
Read More