Duck Like

Common Merganser

Mergus merganser
Common Merganser thumbnail
Length: 25 in. (64 cm )
Wintering in small groups on deep rivers, lakes, ponds and occasionally in coastal bays, this deep-diving species uses the saw-toothed edges of its bill to catch and hold on to fish. During the summer they move to forested and mountainous lakes to nest high in tree cavities or rarely in rock crevices and holes in dirt banks. The nest is lined with vegetation, moss and feathers. Females alone incubate and care for the young.

The four-digit banding code is COME.

Male | Robert Shantz

Female | Jim Burns



Open water
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View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Common Merganser
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: January 18, 2025
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/common-merganser

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Common Merganser. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved January 18, 2025 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/common-merganser

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Common Merganser". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/common-merganser

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Common Merganser". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 18 Jan 2025. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/common-merganser

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
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