Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
The Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) is a striking duck found in forested rivers and lakes, renowned for its diverse diet that includes fish, mollusks, and insect larvae. Known for its partial migratory behavior, this species often relocates to nearby unfrozen waters during colder months.
| 🇫🇷 | Harle bièvre |
| 🇩🇪 | Gänsesäger |
| 🇲🇽 | Serreta grande |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
How to Identify
The Common Merganser closely resembles the Red-breasted Merganser. A distinctive feature is the clear demarcation between the head and the breast and neck colors, which is sharply defined in both males and females.
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Characteristics
| Length | 58–72cm |
| Weight | 0.9–2.1kg |
| Wingspan | 78–97cm |
| Clutch Size | 6-17 eggs |
| Incubation | 28-35 days |
| Fledging | 30-50 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 2 years |
| Source | Wikipedia |
Where and When to Spot
This species is frequently observed in Rapids Park Lachine, particularly during the migratory seasons when they seek out unfrozen waters.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc de la Frayère | x | - | - | x |
| Parc des Rapides, Lachine | x | x | x | x |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.