Mergansers

On to the Mergansers.  Although they are sea ducks, most of the mergansers prefer river and lake habitats, with only the Red-breasted Merganser being common at sea. Mergansers are fish-eaters and have serrated edges on their bills to help them grip their prey. Therefore, they are sometimes referred to as "sawbills." Since they feed on fish, they are often found in open water. Hooded Mergansers have a crest at the back of the head which can be expanded or contracted. I assume this is to make them look larger to predators, don't know. It may also be a sign of "distress" like a white tailed deer raising its tail. In adult males, this crest has a large white patch, the head is black and the sides of the duck are reddish brown. The adult female has a reddish crest, with much of the rest of the head and body a greyish-brown. They breed in swamps and wooded ponds on the northern half of the United States and Southern half of Canada. They prefer to nest in tree cavities near water much the same as the Wood Duck. Hooded Mergansers are short distance migrants and winter on ponds, lakes, and rivers that will not ice up.

Common Merganser Male

photo taken at Harriet Lake, Oregon

Common Merganser Female

photo taken at Davis Lake, Oregon

Hooded Merganser

photo taken at Mahleur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

Red Breasted Merganser

Photo taken at Padilla Bay, Washington