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

Tips for Identifying This Species

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.

Notes about Whereabouts

This species is frequently observed in Rapids Park Lachine, particularly during the migratory seasons when they seek out unfrozen waters.

Observations by Park and Season

Location	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Parc de la Frayère	x	-	-	x
Parc des Rapides	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.

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